North Carolina -Nickname, The Old North State or The Tar Heel State
In 1629, King Charles I of England "erected into a province," all the land from Albemarle Sound on the north to the St. John's River on the south, which he directed should be called Carolina. The word Carolina is from the word Carolus, the Latin form of Charles.
When Carolina was divided in 1710, the southern part was called South Carolina and the northern, or older settlement, North Carolina. From this came the nickname the "Old North State." Historians have recorded that the principal products during the early history of North Carolina were "tar, pitch, and turpentine." It was during one of the fiercest battles of the War Between the States, so the story goes, that the column supporting the North Carolina troops was driven from the field. After the battle the North Carolinians, who had successfully fought it out alone, were greeted from the passing derelict regiment with the question: "Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?" Quick as a flash came the answer: "No, not a bit, old Jeff's bought it all up." "Is that so; what is he going to do with it?" was asked. "He's going to put on you-un's heels to make you stick better in the next fight." Creecy relates that General Lee, upon hearing of the incident, said: "God bless the Tar Heel boys," and from that they took the name (Adapted from Grandfather Tales of North Carolina by R.B. Creecy and Histories of North Carolina Regiments, Vol. III, by Walter Clark).
STATE BIRD- CARDINAL
STATE FLOWER- DOGWOOD
STATE CHRISTMAS TREE-FRASER FIR
STATE SALTWATER FISH-CHANNEL BASS(REDDRUM)
STATE FRESHWATER FISH- Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
STATE INSECT- HONEY BEE
STATE STONE- EMERALD- A greater variety of minerals, more than 300, have been found in North Carolina than in any other state.
STATE WILDFLOWER- CAROLINA LILY
STATE VEGETABLE- SWEET POTATOES
STATE REPTILE- EASTERN BOX TURTLE
STATE SHELL- SCOTCH BONNET
STATE DOG- PLOTT HOUND- The Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina around 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this State.
NORTH CAROLINA'S STATE FLAG
THE OLD NORTH STATE Written by William Gaston Composed by Mrs. E.E. Randolph
Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her! While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her; Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her, Still our hearts swell with gladness when- ever we name her.
Hurrah!Hurrah! The Old North State forever! Hurrah!Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Tho' she envies not others , their merited glory, Say whose name stands the foremost, in Liberty's story, Tho's too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression, Who can yield to just rule a more loyal submission?
Hurrah!Hurrah! The Old North State forever! Hurrah!Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster at the knock of a stranger, or the tale of disaster. How like the rudeness of the dear native mountains, with rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains.
Hurrah!Hurrah! The Old North State forever! Hurrah!Hurrah! The good Old North State! And her daughters, the Queen or the forest resembling so graceful, so constant, yet the gentlest breath trembling. And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them, how they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've tried them.
Hurrah!Hurrah! The Old North State forever! Hurrah!Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Then let all those who love us, love the land that we live in, as happy a region as this side of heaven, where plenty and peace, love and joy smile before us, raise aloud, raise together the hear thrilling chorus.
Hurrah!Hurrah! The Old North State forever! Hurrah!Hurrah! The good Old North State!
Toast, The Tar Heel Toast by Leonora Martin and Mary Burke Kerr
Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, The summer land where the sun doth shine, Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great, Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State!
Here's to the land of the cotton bloom white, Where the scuppernong perfumes the breeze at night, Where the soft southern moss and jessamine mate, 'Neath the murmuring pines of the Old North State!
Here's to the land where the galax grows, Where the rhododendron's rosette glows, Where soars Mount Mitchell's summit great, In the "Land of the Sky," in the Old North State!
Here's to the land where maidens are fair, Where friends are true and cold hearts rare, The near land, the dear land, whatever fate, The blest land, the best land, the Old North State!
