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Student Reading Introduction: Ohio's State Symbols
Ohio, like other states, has a variety of state symbols that share the state’s
heritage. These symbols include the state flower, state bird, state song, and many
more. Do you know any of the state symbols for Ohio?
Ohio’s state seal illustrates
Ohio's diverse geography. In the
background stands Mount Logan in
Ross County. Separating Mount Logan
from the rest of the seal is the Scioto
River. In the foreground is a freshly
harvested wheat field. In the field
(Courtesy of Ohio Memory.)
stands a sheaf of wheat, illustrating the
importance of agriculture in Ohio. Nearby stand seventeen arrows that resemble
the sheaf of wheat. The seventeen arrows represent the American Indians of
Ohio, and the fact that Ohio was the seventeenth state to join the United States
of America. At the top of the seal is the sun, with thirteen rays protruding
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Introduction: Ohio’s State Symbol
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outwards. The thirteen rays represent the thirteen colonies that became the
original thirteen states of the United States. Some early versions of the seal also
had a canal boat on the river.
Do you know the state capital? It is Columbus, Ohio. The state bird is the
Northern Cardinal. The Northern
Cardinal is a red bird. Have you
seen any of them flying around
outside? They are quite beautiful
creatures. The state beverage is
tomato juice. Originally, Ohio
settlers did not plant tomatoes
because they thought they were
poisonous. However, over the
(Courtesy of Ohio Memory.)
years, tomatoes shifted to a commercially grown crop. By 1965, Ohio was the
second leading producer in tomato juice and it continues to be an important part
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Introduction: Ohio’s State Symbol
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of Ohio’s economy today. In Reynoldsburg, Ohio, there is a tomato festival every
year to honor its importance.
Ohio also has a state gemstone, flint. It is very common around Ohio and
was used by American Indians. The state groundhog is Buckeye Chuck. He is
known for coming out every Groundhog Day to determine if there will be six more
weeks of winter or an early spring.
Have you ever wondered why Ohio is known as the buckeye state? Well, it
is not just because of a football team. The state tree for Ohio is the buckeye tree.
Did you know the state rock song is
“Hang on Sloopy”? Have you ever heard
this song at any sporting events?
(Courtesy of Ohio Memory.)
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Introduction: Ohio’s State Symbol
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Reading Comprehension Questions
1. What is the state song for Ohio?
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2. The state gemstone is:
a. Mica
b. Obsidian
c. Flint
d. Citrine
3. True or False
Tomatoes are an important crop for Ohio. A
tomato festival is held in Riverside, Ohio, every year.
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Introduction: Ohio’s State Symbol