ARKANSAS

State of Arkansas

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: French derivation of Akansas or Arkansas, a name given to the Quapaw Indians by other tribes. NICKNAME: The Natural State. CAPITAL: Little Rock. ENTERED THE UNION: 15 June 1836 (25th). SONG: "Arkansas." MOTTO: Regnat populus (The people rule). COAT OF ARMS: In front of an American eagle is a shield displaying a steamboat, plow, beehive, and sheaf of wheat, symbols of Arkansas's industrial and agricultural wealth. The angel of mercy, the goddess of liberty encircled by 13 stars, and the sword of justice surround the eagle, which holds in its talons an olive branch and three arrows and in its beak a banner bearing the state motto. FLAG: On a red field, 25 stars on a blue band border a white diamond containing the word "Arkansas" and four blue stars. OFFICIAL SEAL: Coat of arms surrounded by the words "Great Seal of the State of Arkansas." BIRD: Mockingbird. INSECT: Honeybee. FLOWER: Apple blossom. TREE: Pine. GEM: Diamond. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Robert E. Lee's birthday, 19 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; George Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May, Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Eve, 24 December; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 6 AM CST = noon GMT.