Unlike some states, Nebraska doesn’t seem to have a really strong connection to any particular symbol. Neighboring Kansas is the Sunflower State, Louisiana the Pelican State. But Nebraska is the Cornhusker State, even though corn isn’t included among its symbols.
Nor is it easy to detect anything except a regional theme among its symbols; its state tree and bird, in particular, are popular symbols of the Great Plains states. Sports appear to be a minor theme, with an official Baseball Capital and Historic Baseball Capital complementing the nickname Cornhusker State, derived from the nickname for University of Nebraska athletic teams.
Nebraska/Introduction is one of the four “MOAN states” (Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nebraska) which adopted all four of the most redundant and largely senseless symbols—the introduced honeybee, milk, square dance and English (usually designated the official language).
In addition, most of Nebraska’s plant and animal symbols are shared with other states, particularly the white-tailed deer and channel catfish.
One of my favorite Nebraska symbols is the old nickname Antelope State, though some might argue that Wyoming is more deserving of that title. Nebraska is also noteworthy for its connection to Arbor Day, as evidenced by the nickname Tree Planters’ State.
Nicknames, Mottoes & Song
Tree Planters State was officially designated Nebraska’s nickname on April 4, 1895. Few people appreciate trees more than residents of the Great Plains, who planted millions of trees as windbreaks, orchards, fuel supplies or just to relieve the monotony of the endless plains. In addition, Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, and Nebraska’s U.S. Senator Phineas W. Hitchcock introduced the Timber Culture Act in 1873.
In 1945, Tree Planters State was officially replaced by Cornhusker State in recognition of the University of Nebraska football team. Of course, the name also alludes to corn, which is one of Nebraska’s most important crops. The words “Cornhusker State” appeared on Nebraska license plates from 1969-1975.
Two of Nebraska’s more colorful nicknames are Antelope State and Bug-eating State. The first nickname originated around 1870 in honor of the abundant pronghorns (“antelope”) that roamed the plains. Lewis and Clark described the pronghorn after shooting a specimen in what is now Nebraska. They called it a goat.
Trivia buffs know that Nebraska was once called the Bug-eating State because of the numerous“bull bats” that gobbled up insects. Nebraskans called them “bug-eaters.” But what’s a bull bat?
The true source of the nickname is the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). As a youth, I watched nighthawks soaring overhead in my native South Dakota. When they dive on their prey, the wind rushing through their feathers makes a striking sound. Nighthawks are one of the most spectacular, yet least known, natural spectacles of the Great Plains.
Nebraska nicknames also reportedly include Beef State and Blackwater State for its beef industry and the streams that were darkened by its rich black soils. The former was advertised on Nebraska license plates from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.
Nebraska’s state motto is Equality Before the Law. The state song is Beautiful Nebraska.
Plants
Nebraska’s state flower is the giant goldenrod. Other goldenrod species represent Alabama and Kentucky.
Nebraska shares the cottonwood with Kansas and Wyoming. As already mentioned, Nebraska is closely associated with Arbor Day, as evidenced by the nickname Tree Planters State.
Nebraska/Introduction is one of fourteen states and two provinces that have adopted an official grass. Nebraskans chose little bluestem.
Animals
Nebraska/Introduction is one of six states (Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming) that make the western meadowlark the premier symbol of the Great Plains.
The meadowlark is the premier symbol of the Great Plains and is a fine ambassador for Nebraska. Still, some have suggested that it be replaced with the spectacular sandhill crane. Perhaps the sandhill crane will one day be adopted alongside the meadowlark, just as several states have named the turkey, bobwhite or wood duck the official game bird or waterfowl.
Nebraska/Introduction is one of thirteen states (along with Saskatchewan and the nation of Honduras) that have adopted the white-tailed deer as an official symbol. Nebraska is the westernmost state to adopt the whitetail. The pronghorn might be a more suitable symbol, as Nebraska was once nicknamed the Antelope State. Moreover, Lewis and Clark discovered the pronghorn (not a true antelope) in what is now Nebraska.
The channel catfish represents five states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee). There was an effort to promote the paddlefish as Nebraska’s state fish, but it was unsuccessful.
Nebraska/Introduction is one of sixteen states that have adopted the introduced honeybee as an official symbol, typically with the backing of the honey industry.
Earth Symbols
Nebraska/Introduction is one of ten states and provinces (Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee and Nova Scotia) that have adopted agates as official symbols. In 1967, Nebraskans named the prairie agate the official rock and blue chalcedony (also an agate) the official gemstone.
The mammoth was adopted as the state fossil that same year. The designation recognizes all mammoth species.
Miscellaneous Symbols
Nebraska is the only state besides Indiana with an official river. Of course, Nebraskans chose the Platte River, which drains into the Missouri River.
Nebraska is the only state with two official beverages. Milk is the official beverage, while Kool-Aid was named the official soft drink. Kool-Aid was adopted because its origins are in Hastings, Nebraska.
Other miscellaneous symbols include an official ballad (A Place Like Nebraska), poet laureate (John G. Neihardt), state poet (William Kloefkorn), village of lights (Cody), baseball capital (Wakefield) and historic baseball capital (St. Paul). We’ve already mentioned the official American folk dance and language, the square dance and English.
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