4-32 The State of New York

The great state of New York became the 11^th state in the Union on July 26, 1788.  Its state capital is Albany.  It was named New York to honor of the Duke of York (York is a city in England).

The harbor of New York was visited by Verrazano in 1524, and the Hudson River was first explored by Henry Hudson in 1609.  The Dutch settled in New York  in 1624 and for 40 years they ruled over the colony of New Netherlands.  The colony was conquered by the English in 1664 and it was then named New York in honor of the Duke of York.

New York declared its independence from Great Britain on July 9, 1776, becoming one of the original 13 states of the Federal Union.  On April 20, 1777, New York's first constitution was adopted.

Many battles were fought in New York State during the Revolutionary War. Approximately one-third of the skirmishes and engagements of the war were fought on New York soil. The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point during the Revolutionary War.  It lead to a French alliance and to eventual victory.  New York City, long occupied by British troops, was evacuated on November 25, 1783.  New York City became the first capital of the United States, where President George Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor; it was a gift from the government of France.

Emblem/Symbol	Name of Emblem/Symbol	Adopted
Motto	"Excelsior" (Ever Upwards)
Nickname	The Empire State
State Seal		1778
State Bird	Bluebird	1970
State Flower	Rose	1955
State Tree	Sugar Maple	1953
State Flag		1901
State Insect	Ladybug	1989
State Fish	Brook Trout	1975
State Animal	Beaver	1975
State Gem	Garnet	1969
State Shell	Bay Scallop	1988
State Reptile	Common Snapping Turtle	2006

Complete the questions below.

1.  New York became the 11^th state in the Union on July 26, .

2.  The state tree is the .

3.  "Excelsior," the state motto, means ().

4.  The state flower is the .

5.  The state bird is the .

6.  The is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

7.  New York was named in honor of the .

8.  Garnet is the state .

9.  The common Snapping Turtle is the state .

10.  The Bay Scallop is the state .