A Look at the Virginia General Assembly
Facts and Symbols
Embedded Files
A Look at Notable Virginians
A Look at Notable Virginians
George Washington
George Washington
Known as the “Father of our Country” for his contributions during the American Revolution
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
James Madison
James Madison
Known as the “Father of the Constitution”
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Was integral in the independence movement and famous for his “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” speech
George Mason
George Mason
Wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights from which the U.S. Bill of Rights was derived
L. Douglas Wilder
L. Douglas Wilder
Was the first elected African-American Governor in the United States
A Look at Virginia Facts
A Look at Virginia Facts
Founded
Founded
In 1607 in Jamestown
Named for
Named for
Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Virgin Queen
Nickname
Nickname
Known as the Old Dominion. King Charles II gave it this name, because Virginia remained loyal to the crown during the Civil War in England.
Ratification
Ratification
Tenth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on June 26, 1788
Commonwealth
Commonwealth
One of four states referred to as a commonwealth. Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are the other three.
Mother of States
Mother of States
Seven other states were formed from the land that was once part of Virginia (Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and part of Minnesota).
Mother of Presidents
Mother of Presidents
Eight U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson).
A Look at Emblems of Virginia
A Look at Emblems of Virginia
The state bird is THE CARDINAL, a bird of the finch family.
(adopted in 1950)
The state tree and floral emblem is THE AMERICAN DOGWOOD. It is a tree that blooms in early spring. The blossom is really a tiny cluster of flowers surrounded by four white leaves that look like petals.
(the flower was adopted in 1918 and tree was daopted in 1956)
The state insect is THE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY. It is a yellow butterfly with black stripes on the forewings.
(adopted in 1991)
The state fish is THE BROOK TROUT. The trout is a freshwater game fish.
(adopted in 1993)
The official dance is SQUARE DANCING. It traces its ancestry to the English Country Dance and the French Ballroom Dance.
(adopted in 1991)
The state saltwater fish is THE STRIPED BASS. It lives in the waters off Virginia's coast.
(adopted in 2011
The official boat is THE CHESAPEAKE DEADRISE. The Deadrise is a wooden workboat used by fishermen and oystermen.
(adopted in 1988)
The state shell is THE OYSTER SHELL (Crassostraea virginica). The oyster lives on the bottom or adheres to rock in shallow water.
(adopted in 1974)
The state fossil is CHESAPECTEN JEFFERSONIUS. The fossil celebrates the Chesapeake Bay and was named to honor Thomas Jefferson for his interest in natural history.
(adopted in 1993)
The state rock is NELSONITE. This tan and dark speckled, titanium-laced rock is named after Nelson County, Virginia where it was discovered.
(adopted in 2016)
The state snake is THE EASTERN GARTER SNAKE. This snake is either a greenish, brown or black color and has a distinct yellow or white stripe.
(adopted in 2016)
The state dog is THE AMERICAN FOXHOUND. The Foxhound is a medium-sized hound trained to hunt foxes.
(adopted in 1966)
The state bat is THE BIG-EARED BAT. It has brown fur and flies around at night.
(adopted in 2005)
The state drink is MILK, a nourishing beverage that is also the source of butter, cheese and yogurt.
(adopted in 1982)
Credit: Portraiture in this section (excluding state song) created by Michael and Karri Mohr / Capitol Classroom.
Seal of the Commonwealth (Printable Resource)
Seal of the Commonwealth (Printable Resource)
Click here for directions.
Directions: Study the information in the printable handout. When you are done studying, close this window or the separate window that contains the handout. There is an interactive activity in the next section. The handout is available in portable document format (.pdf). Click on the image below to open any the file.
Additional Resources Needed: Printer and 8 1/2"x11" printer paper (if opting to print).
Seal of the Commonwealth - Printable Handout
Seal of the Commonwealth - Printable Handout
ALook_Seal.pdfSeal of the Commonwealth (Interactive Activity)
Seal of the Commonwealth (Interactive Activity)
Click here for directions.
Directions: Study the information in the printable handout. Once you are done, close that document. Next, click the "Reveal the Seal - Interactive Activity" link below. Answer each multiple choice question correctly to reveal the Seal of the Commonwealth.
Additional Resources Needed: None.
Match the Emblems of Virginia (Interactive Activity)
Match the Emblems of Virginia (Interactive Activity)
Click here for directions.
Directions: Study the information in the printable handouts or using the emblem icons above. Once you are done, click the "Match the Emblems - Interactive Activity" link below. Close this window and any of the printable handouts. Answer each multiple choice question correctly in the interactive activity.
Additional Resources Needed: None.
Emblems of Virginia (Printable Resource)
Emblems of Virginia (Printable Resource)
Click here for directions.
Directions: Each handout is available in portable document format (.pdf). Click on the images below to open any of the files.
Additional Resources Needed: Printer, 8 1/2"x11" printer paper (if opting to print), colored pencils or crayons.
Emblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (1 of 4)
Emblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (1 of 4)
ALook_Emblems1.pdfEmblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (2 of 4)
Emblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (2 of 4)
ALook_Emblems2.pdfEmblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (3 of 4)
Emblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (3 of 4)
ALook_Emblems3.pdfEmblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (4 of 4)
Emblems of Virginia - Printable Handout (4 of 4)
ALook_Emblems4.pdfPage updated
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