List of Wisconsin state symbols facts for kids

Location of the state of Wisconsin in the United States of America

This article is all about the cool and important symbols of Wisconsin, a state in the United States of America. Every state has special things that represent it, like its flag, animals, or even a favorite food! These symbols help tell the story of Wisconsin's history, nature, and culture. Let's explore what makes Wisconsin unique!

Official State Symbols

These are the official symbols that represent Wisconsin. They are often used on government documents or flags.

Type	Symbol	Year Chosen	Image
Flag	The flag of Wisconsin	1863
Motto	"Forward"	1851
Nicknames	Badger State, America's Dairyland
Seal	The Great Seal of Wisconsin	1881

• Flag: Wisconsin's flag shows the state's seal on a blue background. It was officially adopted in 1863.
• Motto: "Forward" is Wisconsin's motto. It was chosen in 1851 and shows the state's spirit of progress.
• Nicknames: Wisconsin is known as the "Badger State" because early miners lived in tunnels like badgers. It's also called "America's Dairyland" because it produces a lot of milk and cheese!
• Seal: The Great Seal of Wisconsin features symbols of farming, mining, and navigation, showing the state's main industries.

Amazing Animals and Plants

Wisconsin is home to many different animals and plants. Some of these have been chosen as official state symbols!

Type	Symbol	Year Chosen	Image
Animal	Badger Taxidea taxus	1957
Bird	American robin Turdus migratorius	1949
Domestic animal	Dairy cow Bos taurus	1971
Dog	American Water Spaniel	1985
Fish	Muskellunge Esox masquinongy	1955
Flower	Wood violet Viola sororia	1909
Fruit	Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon	2003
Grain	Corn Zea mays	1989
Insect	Western honey bee Apis mellifera	1977
Tree	Sugar maple Acer saccharum	1949
Wildlife animal	White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus	1957

• Badger: The badger is a burrowing animal known for its strength. It was chosen as the state animal in 1957.
• American Robin: This common bird is known for its cheerful song. It became the state bird in 1949.
• Dairy Cow: Wisconsin is famous for its dairy farms, so it's no surprise the dairy cow became the state domestic animal in 1971.
• American Water Spaniel: This special dog breed was developed in Wisconsin. It's a great hunting dog and became the state dog in 1985.
• Muskellunge: Often called "musky," this large freshwater fish is a popular catch for anglers. It was chosen as the state fish in 1955.
• Wood Violet: This small, purple flower grows wild across Wisconsin. It became the state flower in 1909.
• Cranberry: Wisconsin is a top producer of cranberries! This tart fruit became the state fruit in 2003.
• Corn: Corn is a very important crop in Wisconsin, used for food and animal feed. It was named the state grain in 1989.
• Western Honey Bee: Honey bees are vital for pollinating crops and making honey. They became the state insect in 1977.
• Sugar Maple: This beautiful tree is known for its vibrant fall colors and for producing maple syrup. It was chosen as the state tree in 1949.
• White-tailed Deer: This graceful deer is common in Wisconsin's forests. It became the state wildlife animal in 1957.

Rocks, Minerals, and Soil

Wisconsin's land also has its own special symbols, from ancient fossils to the very soil beneath our feet!

Type	Symbol	Year Chosen	Image
Fossil	Trilobite Calymene celebra	1985
Mineral	Galena	1971
Rock	Granite	1971
Soil	Antigo (soil)	1983

• Trilobite: These ancient sea creatures lived millions of years ago. Their fossils tell us about Earth's past. The trilobite became the state fossil in 1985.
• Galena: This shiny, metallic mineral is a source of lead. It was important in Wisconsin's mining history and became the state mineral in 1971.
• Granite: This strong, hard rock is used in buildings and monuments. Wisconsin has a lot of beautiful granite, which became the state rock in 1971.
• Antigo Soil: This specific type of soil is very fertile and important for farming in Wisconsin. It was named the state soil in 1983.

Culture and Traditions

Wisconsin's culture is also celebrated through its symbols, including songs, dances, and even a favorite pastry!

Type	Symbol	Year Chosen	Image
Ballad	"Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams"	2001
Beverage	Milk	1987
Dance	Polka	1993
Pastry	Kringle	2013
Slogan	America's Dairyland	1940
Song	"On, Wisconsin!"	1959
Symbol of peace	Mourning dove Zenaidura macroura carolinensis	1971
Tartan	Wisconsin tartan	2007
Waltz	"The Wisconsin Waltz"	2001

• Ballad: "Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams" is a beautiful song that tells about the state's natural beauty. It became the state ballad in 2001.
• Milk: Since Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland," it makes sense that milk is the official state beverage! It was chosen in 1987.
• Polka: This lively dance, often with accordion music, is very popular in Wisconsin, especially among its many residents with European heritage. It became the state dance in 1993.
• Kringle: This delicious, flaky pastry is a favorite treat in Wisconsin, especially in the city of Racine. It was named the state pastry in 2013.
• Slogan: "America's Dairyland" is a slogan that appears on Wisconsin license plates, highlighting its dairy industry. It was adopted in 1940.
• Song: "On, Wisconsin!" is the official state song, often played at sporting events and celebrations. It became the state song in 1959.
• Mourning Dove: This gentle bird is known for its soft cooing sound. It was chosen as Wisconsin's symbol of peace in 1971.
• Wisconsin Tartan: A tartan is a patterned cloth, often associated with Scottish clans. Wisconsin has its own unique tartan, adopted in 2007.
• The Wisconsin Waltz: This graceful dance tune became the official state waltz in 2001.