Nebraska, the Cornhusker State
The 1945 Legislature changed the official state name to the“Cornhusker State”. The name is derived from the nickname for the University of Nebraska athletic teams - the "Cornhuskers" - which was coined in 1900 by Charles S. "Cy" Sherman, a sportswriter for the Nebraska State Journal in Lincoln. "Cornhuskers" replaced earlier nicknames, such as "Golden Knights", "Antelopes", and "Bugeaters". The term "cornhusker" comes from the method of harvesting or "husking" corn by hand, which was common in Nebraska before the invention of husking machinery.
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. |
Nebraska State Seal Western Meadowlark
Nebraska designated the Western Meadowlark as official state bird in 1929.
The Western Meadowlark is a familiar songbird of open country
across the western two-thirds of the continent.
Goldenrod
|
Goldenrod was designated the official state flower of Nebraska in 1895 to "foster a feeling of pride in our state, and stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the commonwealth." It was later said by Ida Brockman (daughter of representative John M. Brockman) that the state flower "... has a long season, and nothing could better represents the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers" (goldenrod flowers appear from July through October).
For the State Symbols of Nebraska click HERE!
Jim Fras, a Russian refuge, arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1952. Eight years later, in 1960, he composed "Beautiful Nebraska". He is said to have composed the original piece in an hour. According to Mr. Fras, "I was lying in a pasture and words just came to me... Beautiful Nebraska, peaceful prairie land. Laced with many rivers and the hills of sand..." Though the song seemed to come from divine inspiration, it took seven years of campaigning to move the Nebraska Legislature to adopt "Beautiful Nebraska" as the official state song (June 21, 1967).
Simplicity of Elegance
*****
Clouds hang low over a country road
Announcing an impending storm
Critters scramble seeking shelter Sensing atmosphere out of the norm
Simplicity defines Nebraska's elegance
Where the West claims its beginnings Sunrises, sunsets, landscapes Boast of homesteaders' imprintings
Adventured, explored, discovered
Rivers among natural wonders
Led to gold becoming uncovered
Frame Lewis and Clark exploration Ready for road-tripping? Remember, that's how the West was won Crossing overland, dugouts for homes Prairie lands echo pioneer history Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Pawnee Resonate tales shrouded in mystery ©Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults
Nebraska Facts and TriviaNext state by month: #27 Florida - Mar 3, 1845 |
No comments:
Post a Comment