The Great State of Tennessee

Group Project By Ms. Chick’s 4th Grade Class and Ms. Rumage, Librarian

Resources for the Presentation

Resources and Graphics:

Fradlin, Dennis. Tennessee 1992. Children’s

Press, New York, New York

Semchuck, Rosann. My Tennessee. 2004. Weigl

Publishers,Mankato, MN.

Keith, Jeanette. The World Around Us, Tennessee.

1999. Macmillan Publishing, New York, New York

Graphics:

Tennessee Government Website

http://www.tennessee.gov

The State Seal The Roman numerals XVI signify that Tennessee was the 16th state to enter the Union. The plow, the sheaf of wheat and a cotton stalk symbolize the importance of agriculture, while the riverboat

attests to the importance of river traffic to commerce.

The Great Seal Of Tennessee

The State Bird Of Tennessee

• The mockingbird (genus Mimus polyglottos) was selected as the state bird in 1933. One of the finest singers among North American birds, it possesses a melodious song of its own, and is especially noted for its skill in mimicking the songs of other birds.

The State Insect of Tennessee• Tennessee has two official

state insects: the firefly and the ladybug. The firefly emits a luminescent light easily seen on summer evenings. The light is a natural form of incandescent light which man has never completely duplicated.

• The reddish-orange ladybug has distinctive black spots on each wing cover. It helps farmers by controlling insect pests, especially aphids. In folk medicine, ladybugs were believed to cure various diseases such as colic and measles.

The State Gem of Tennessee

• Tennessee river pearls are taken from mussels in the fresh water rivers and come in various shapes and colors. Unlike cultured pearls, which are partially man-made, these pearls are totally made by the mussel. They are 100% natural pearl all the way through.

The State Capital of Tennessee

• In Tennessee's early history, four different towns served as the seat of government: Knoxville, Kingston, Murfreesboro and Nashville. Nashville was chosen as the permanent capital city in 1843. The capitol building was designed by noted architect William Strickland, who died during its construction and is buried within its walls. Marble quarried in Tennessee was used for the primary building material. A magnificent example of Grecian architecture, the building was begun in 1845 and completed in 1859.

The Flag of Tennessee

• Adopted in 1905, the flag features three stars representing the grand divisions of the state: East, Middle and West. The stars are bound together in indissoluble unity by an unending white band.

The State Tree of Tennessee• The tulip poplar (Liriodendron

Tulipifera) was adopted as the state tree by the State Legislature in 1947. The tulip poplar was chosen because it was used extensively by the Tennessee pioneers to construct their houses, barns and other buildings. The tree sometimes reaches a height of 200 feet and frequently shows 50-100 feet of trunk without a branch. The bark is smooth and brownish gray. The leaves are very smooth with a broad notch at the tip. The flowers are tulip-like, green-orange in color, and are 1-3 inches deep. In honor of the state's Bicentennial celebration in 1996, the yellowwood was named Tennessee's bicentennial tree.

The State Wildflower of Tennessee

• The passion flower (genus Passiflora) was declared the state wildflower in 1973. It received its name from early Christian missionaries to South America, who saw in the flower's various parts symbols of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The State Flower of Tennessee

• The State Flower The iris (Genus Iridaceae) was designated as the state cultivated flower by the Legislature in 1933. While there are several different colors among the iris, the purple iris is commonly accepted as the state flower.

The State Animal of Tennessee

• The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a furry mammal with a bushy, ringed tail and a mask-like band of black hair around its eyes. Raccoons eat fish and frogs that they catch in rivers and streams. They measure from 30 to 38 inches long and weigh from 12 to 25 pounds.

The State Songs of Tennessee

• The State Songs

• Music is such an integral part of Tennessee's heritage that there are not one, but five official state songs: My Homeland, Tennessee ... When It's Iris Time in Tennessee ... My Tennessee ... Tennessee Waltz ... and Rocky Top.

Governor of the State of Tennessee

Governor Phil Bredesen

Phil Bredesen, the 48th governor of Tennessee, took office January 18, 2003, with a promise to "focus energy on real results by leaving behind predictable and stale political debates."

Famous Tennesseans James Agee writer, poet, Knoxville

Eddy Arnold singer, HendersonChet Atkins guitarist, LutrellHattie Caraway first elected woman senator, BakervilleJack Garnet Carter miniature golf, SweetwaterDavy Crockett frontiersman, Green CtyJack Curtis screenwriter, Stony CreekSam Davis confederate scout, SmyrnaMark Dean inventor, Jefferson CityDavid G. Farragut first American admiral, KnoxvilleLester Flatt bluegrass musician, Overton CtyTennessee Ernie Ford singer, BristolMorgan Freeman actor, MemphisAbe Fortas jurist, MemphisAretha Franklin singer, MemphisNikki Giovanni poet, KnoxvilleWilma Rudolph, runner, St. Berthlehem

Albert Gore Jr. U.S. vice president, Washington, D.C.Red Grooms artist, NashvilleIsaac Hayes composer, CovingtonBenjamin L. Hooks civil rights activist, MemphisBarbara Howar broadcaster, writer, NashvilleCordell Hull secretary of state, Overton CtyEstes Kefauver legislator, MadisonvilleSandra Locke actress, ShelbyvilleDolly Parton singer, SeviervilleMinnie Pearl singer, comedienne, CentervilleGrantland Rice sportswriter, MurfreesboroCarl Rowan journalist,

Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located in East Tennessee. It is one of the most popular parks in

America.

Nickname of Tennessee

• THE NICKNAMES:The Volunteer State: This is the most widely recognized nickname for the state of Tennessee and one of the most revered. This nickname was earned, during the War of 1812, when thousands of Tennesseans enlisted in response to Governor Blount's call for volunteers. It also honors the courage of Tennessee soldiers fighting under General Andrew Jackson in The Battle of New Orleans (Jan 8, 1815).

Quarter of Tennessee• On January 14, 2002, Governor

Don Sundquist joined U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and Treasurer of the United States Rosario Marin at the Country Music Hall of Fame to unveil the 16th state quarter in the 50 State Quarters® Program, honoring the musical heritage of the “Volunteer State.”

• Tennessee and the Great Smokey Mountains.

• The date, 1796, that appears at the top of the coin under "TENNESSEE", is the date that this state, the 16th to do so, became part of the United States of America.

Geography of Tennessee

• Longitude / Latitude Longitude: 81° 37'W to 90° 28'WLatitude: 35°N to 36° 41'N Length x Width Tennessee is about 440 miles long and 120 miles wide. 

• Geographic Center -The geographic center of Tennessee is located in Rutherford County, 5 miles NE of Murfreesboro. Longitude: 86° 37.3'W Latitude: 35° 47.7'N Borders Tennessee is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia on the north and by North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, on the south. On the east, Tennessee is bordered by North Carolina.

• On the west, Tennessee is bordered by Missouri and Arkansas.Total Area Tennessee covers 42,146 square miles, making it the 36th largest of the 50 states.

The Great State of Tennessee