State Abbreviation - MO

State Capital - Jefferson City

Largest City - St. Louis

Area - 69,709 square miles [Missouri is the 21st biggest state in the USA]

Population - 5,595,211 (as of 2000) [Missouri is the 16th most populous state in the USA]
Major Industries - farming (corn, soybeans), mining (zinc, lead), aircraft equipment, cars, beer

Presidential Birthplace - Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar (near Joplin) on May 8, 1884 (he was the 33rd US President, serving from 1945 to 1953)

Major Rivers - Mississippi River, Missouri River, Osage River
Major Lakes - Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Clearwater Lake, Lake Wappapello
Highest Point - Taum Sauk Mountain- 1,772 feet (540 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Origin of the Name Missouri - Missouri was named for an Algonquian Indian word that means "river of the big canoes."

State Nickname - The Show Me State
State Motto - "Salus populi suprema lex esto " - The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law
State Song - Missouri Waltz
Dinosaur Fossils Found in Missouri - Parrosaurus, a small tyrannosaurid (perhaps Albertosaurus), hadrosaurs (duck-billed dinosaurs)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/missouri/

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Missouri's State Flag

Nearly 100 years after achieving statehood, Missouri adopted an official flag on March 22, 1913. The flag was designed by the late Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver, wife of former State Senator R.B. Oliver. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue. These represent valor, purity, vigilance and justice. In the center white stripe is the Missouri coat-of-arms, circled by a blue band containing 24 stars, denoting that Missouri was the 24th state.

The flag has a red, white, and blue background (representing Missouri's French heritage; it was part of the Louisiana Purchase from France). The circular center is surrounded by 24 white stars (the number of states when Missouri entered the Union). Two grizzly bears represent bravery and strength. A knight's helmet and another 24 stars are above the bears. The motto, "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL" is around the inner circle. The motto, "SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX ESTA" (meaning "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law") is on a yellow ribbon under the bears. The inner circle has an eagle holding the olive branch of peace and the arrows of war (representing the federal government), a crescent moon, and another grizzly bear. The Roman numeral MDCCCXX is under the two bears (1820 was the date of the Missouri Compromise

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Missouri's State Capitol

State government in Missouri focuses on the state's beautiful, domed Capitol, dominating the bluffs of the Missouri River in Jefferson City.

The dome, rising 238 feet above ground level and topped by a bronze statue of Ceres, goddess of vegetation, is the first view of Jefferson City for travelers arriving from the north. The structure is Jefferson City's leading tourist attraction and is a mecca for school groups who arrive by busloads, particularly during General Assembly sessions when they fill the galleries to watch the Senate and House of Representatives in action.

In addition to housing the two legislative bodies, the Capitol provides office space for the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, state auditor and some administrative agencies. The structure is also notable for its architectural features, including its eight 48-foot columns on the south portico and six 40-foot columns on the north side; its 30-foot-wide grant stairway and its bronze front doors, each 13 by 18 feet -- largest cast since the Roman era.

The Capitol's first floor features the State Museum. Outstanding paintings, pediments and friezes decorate the Capitol interior. A prime attraction is a series of Thomas Hart Benton murals in the House Lounge.

Statuary is a prominent feature of the Capitol grounds. Heroic bronze figures depicting Missouri's two great rivers, the Mississippi and Missouri, and a 13-foot statue of Thomas Jefferson dominate the south entrance. A bronze relief depicting the signing of the Louisiana Purchase by Livingston, Monroe and Marbois and the Fountain of the Centaurs are the most outstanding features on the north grounds.

The present Capitol, completed in 1917 and occupied the following year, is the third Capitol in Jefferson City and the sixth in Missouri history. The first seat of state government was housed in the Mansion House, Third and Vine Streets, St. Louis; the second was in the Missouri Hotel, Maine and Morgan Streets, also in St. Louis. St. Charles was designated as temporary capital of the state in 1821 and remained the seat of government until 1826 when Jefferson City became the permanent capital city. The first Capitol in Jefferson City burned in 1837 and a second structure completed in 1840 burned when the dome was struck by lightning on February 5, 1911.

The present Capitol was constructed for $4,215,000, including site and furnishings. It is five stories high, 437 feet long, 300 feet wide in the center and 200 feet wide in the wings. The dome is 238 feet high and the height of the wings is 88 feet. In includes 500,000 square feet of floor space.

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The Great Seal of Missouri

The Great Seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells and adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on January 11, 1822. The center of the state seal is composed of two parts. On the right is the United States coat-of-arms containing the bald eagle. In its claws are arrows and olive branches, signifying that the power of war and peace lies with the U.S. federal government. On the left side of the shield, the state side, are a grizzly bear and a silver crescent moon. The crescent symbolizes Missouri at the time of the state seal's creation, a state of small population and wealth which would increase like the new or crescent moon; it also symbolizes the "second son," meaning Missouri was the second state formed out of the Louisiana Territory.

This shield is encircled by a belt inscribed with the motto, "United we stand, divided we fall," which indicates Missouri's advantage as a member of the United States. The two grizzlies on either side of the shield symbolize the state's strength and its citizens' bravery. The bears stand atop a scroll bearing the state motto, "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto," which means, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." Below this scroll are the Roman numerals for 1820, the year Missouri began its functions as a state.

The helmet above the shield represents state sovereignty, and the large star atop the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars signified Missouri's status as the 24th state. The cloud around the large star indicates the problems Missouri had in becoming a state. The whole state seal is enclosed by a scroll bearing the words, "The Great Seal of the State of Missouri."

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Missouri's State Bird

On March 30, 1927, the native bluebird became the official state bird of Missouri. The bluebird, considered a symbol of happiness, is usually 6 1/2 to 7 inches long. While its upper parts are covered with light blue plumage, its breast is cinnamon red, turning rust-colored in the fall. The bluebird is common in Missouri from early spring until late November.

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Missouri's State Tree

On June 20, 1955, the flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida L.) became Missouri's official tree. The tree is small in size, rarely growing over 40 feet in height or 18 inches in diameter. The dogwood sprouts tiny greenish-yellow flowers in clusters, with each flower surrounded by four white petals. The paried, oval leaves are olive green above and covered with silvery hairs underneath. In the fall, the upper part of the leaves turns scarlet or orange and bright red fruits grow on the tree.

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Missouri's State Floral Emblem

On March 16, 1923, Governor Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the white hawthorn blossom the official state floral emblem of Missouri. Known as the "red haw" or "white haw," the hawthorn (crateagus) is a member of the great rose family, which resembles the apple group. The hawthorn blossoms have greenish-yellow centers and form in white clusters. More than 75 species of the hawthorn grow in Missouri, particularly in the Ozarks.

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Missouri's State Tree Nut

The nut produced by the black walnut tree (Juglans nigra), known as the eastern black walnut, became the state tree nut on July 9, 1990. The nut has a variety of uses. The meat is used in ice cream, baked goods and candies. The shell provides the soft grit abrasive used in metal cleaning and polishing and oil well drilling, and is also used in paint products and as a filler in dynamite.

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Missouri's State Animal

On May 31, 1995, Governor Mel Carnahan signed a bill designating the Missouri mule as the official state animal. The mule is a hybrid, the offspring of a mare (female horse) and a jack (male donkey). After its introduction to the state in the 1820s, the mule quickly became popular with farmers and settlers because of its hardy nature. Missouri mules pulled pioneer wagons to the Wild West during the 19th century and played a crucial role in moving troops and supplies in World Wars I and II. For decades, the Show Me State was the nation's premier mule producer.

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Missouri's State Musical Instrument

The fiddle became the state's official musical instrument on July 17, 1987. Brought to Missouri in the late 1700s by fur traders and settlers, the fiddle quickly became popular. The instrument was adaptable to many forms of music, could be played without extensive formal training and was light and easy to carry. For generations, the local fiddle player was the sole source of entertainment in many communities and held a position of great respect in the region.  

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Missouri's American Folk Dance

The square dance was adopted as Missouri's official American folk dance on May 31, 1995. Square dances are derived from folk and courtship dances brought to the United States by European immigrants. Lively music and callers are hallmarks of square dancing. The caller directs the dancers by singing the names of figures and steps to be performed.

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Missouri's State Insect

On July 3, 1985, Governor John Ashcroft signed a bill designating the honeybee as Missouri's state insect. The honeybee, (Apis mellifera) yellow or orange and black in color, is a social insect which collects nectar and pollen from flower blossoms in order to produce honey. The honeybee is common to Missouri and is cultivated by beekeepers for honey production.

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The State Horse

On June 4, 2002, the Missouri fox trotting horse became Missouri's official state horse. Missouri fox trotters were developed in the rugged Ozark hills of Missouri during the early 19th century. Bloodlines can be traced from early settlers to Missouri from the neighboring states of Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and Arkansas. The distinguishing characteristic of the fox trotter is its rhythmic gait, in which the horse walks with the front feet and trots with the hind feet. This gait gives the rider a smooth gentle ride.

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Missouri's State Fossil

The crinoid became the state's official fossil on June 16, 1989, after a group of Lee's Summit school students worked through the legislative process to promote it as a state symbol. The crinoid (Delocrinus missouriensis) is a mineralization of an animal which, because of its plant-like appearance, was called the "sea lily." Related to the starfish and sand dollar, the crinoid lived in the ocean that once covered Missouri. There are about 600 species alive in the ocean today.

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Missouri's State Mineral

On July 21, 1967, the mineral galena was adopted as the official mineral of Missouri. Galena is the major source of lead ore, and the recognition of this mineral by the state legislature was to emphasize Missouri's status as the nation's top producer of lead. Galena is dark gray in color and breaks into small cubes. Mining of galena has flourished in the Joplin-Granby area of southwest Missouri, and rich deposits have been located in such places as Crawford, Washington, Iron and Reynolds counties.

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Missouri's State Rock

Mozarkite was adopted as the official state rock on July 21, 1967, by the 74th General Assembly. An attractive rock, mozarkite appears in a variety of colors, most predominantly green, red or purple. The rock's beauty is enhanced by cutting and polishing into ornamental shapes for jewelry. Mozarkite is most commonly found in Benton County.

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Missouri's Aquatic Animal

The paddlefish became Missouri's official aquatic animal on May 23, 1997. Only three rivers in Missouri support substantial populations of the paddlefish; the Mississippi, Missouri and the Osage. They are also present in some of the state's larger lakes. The paddlefish is primitive, with a cartilage skeleton, rather than bone. They commonly exceed five feet in length and weights of 60 pounds; 20-year olds are common and some live 30 years or more.

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Missouri's State Fish

On May 23, 1997, Governor Mel Carnahan signed a bill designating the channel catfish as the official fish of Missouri. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is slender, with a deeply forked tail. Young have spots that disappear with age. The catfish does not rely on sight to find its food; instead it uses cat-like whiskers to assist in the hunt. The channel cat is the most abundant large catfish in Missouri streams. Its diet include animal and plant materials. Adults are normally 12 to 32 inches long and weigh from a half-pound to 15 pounds

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The State Grape

On July 11, 2003, the Norton/Cynthiana grape (Vitis Aestivalis) was adopted as the official state grape. This adaptable, self-pollinating variety has been cultivated since the 1830s and is likely North America’s oldest grape variety still commercially grown. Norton/Cynthiana has long been prized by Missouri vintners for its hardy growth habit and intense flavor characteristics, which produce lush, dry premium red wines of world-class quality and distinction.

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The "Missouri Waltz" became the state song under an act adopted by the General Assembly on June 30, 1949. The song came from a melody by John V. Eppel and was arranged by Frederic Knight Logan, using lyrics written by J.R. Shannon. First published in 1914, the song did not sell well and was considered a failure. By 1939, the song had gained popularity and six million copies had been sold. Sales increased substantially after Missourian Harry S. Truman became president, and it was reported that the "Missouri Waltz" was his favorite song.

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 Missouri's State Song

http://www.sos.mo.gov/symbols/missouri.mid

The "The Missouri Waltz" was adopted as the official state song on June 30, 1949. 

Origin of Song:

It is difficult to determine the origin of the "Missouri Waltz." Historians generally agree that the tune was first printed around 1912 by Frederick Knight Logan of Oskaloosa, Iowa. About 1000 copies were published in Chicago and distributed to various music dealers and orchestra leaders. The lyrics did not appear with the tune until later.

Most versions of the song's origins agree that Logan picked up the song from orchestra leader John Valentine Eppel of Fort Dodge, Iowa. According to one version, Eppel learned the melody from an African American man in Missouri who had been taught the tune by his mother. Around Moberly, Missouri, residents say that the original composer was Dab Hannah, an African American piano player, but in Oskaloosa, some say that Henry Clay Cooper, an African American dance instructor, gave the melody to Logan. Another version claims that gifted piano player Edgar Lee Settle of New Franklin, Missouri, obtained the tune from the DiArmo sisters, a musical team on his theatrical circuit, who in turn, had been given it by an old African American man from the South. Settle's brother claimed that Settle composed the piece, which he called the "Graveyard Waltz," and was playing it one evening when John Valentine Eppel heard it and used it with his orchestra.

In 1914, the Forster Publishing Company of Chicago secured the rights to the melody from Logan and, with lyrics composed by Jim Shannon, it appeared in 1915 as the "Hush-a-Bye Ma Baby" song with "Missouri Waltz" printed as a substitute in parentheses.

The "Missouri Waltz" gained in popularity after Harry Truman became President of the United States in 1945. He played the song on the piano at the White House and, in so doing, enhanced its popularity. There were unsuccessful attempts to get the president to record the song.

In 1949, the year after Truman's unexpected victory over Thomas Dewey, Representative Floyd Snyder (D-Independence), suggested that the "Missouri Waltz" be given official status as state song. Due to some of the lyrics, which were considered racist, the song was amended and became the official state song on June 30, 1949.

When the song legislation was being considered, reporters contacted the White House, asking whether the song was really his favorite. The following reply was published by the White House: "President's attitude towards the song? He can take it or leave it. Is it really his favorite? No. Does he play it often? No. Is Margaret ever heard singing it? No. What is the President's reaction to song's adoption by Missouri as state song? See answer to first question."

Although the song is often associated with Harry Truman, the president did not claim it as his favorite song. In fact, he had this to say about it in a television interview: "If you let me say what I think, I don't give a ... about it, but I can't say it out loud because it's the song of Missouri. It's as bad as 'The Star Spangled Banner' as far as music is concerned."

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On March 22, 1915, the 48th General Assembly set aside the third Wednesday in October each year as "Missouri Day," due to the efforts of Mrs. Anna Brosius Korn, a native Missourian. Missouri Day is a time for schools to honor the state and for the people of the state to celebrate the achievements of all Missourians.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/symbols/

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