NEW HAMPSHIRE

State of New Hampshire

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: Named for the English county of Hampshire. NICKNAME: The Granite State. CAPITAL: Concord. ENTERED UNION: 21 June 1788 (9th). SONG: "Old New Hampshire." MOTTO: Live Free or Die. FLAG: The state seal, surrounded by laurel leaves with nine stars interspersed, is centered on a blue field. OFFICIAL SEAL: In the center is a broadside view of the frigate Raleigh; in the left foreground is a granite boulder, in the background a rising sun. A laurel wreath and the words "Seal of the State of New Hampshire 1776" surround the whole. STATE EMBLEM: Within an elliptical panel appears a replica of the Old Man of the Mountains, with the state name above and motto below. ANIMAL: White-tailed deer. BIRD: Purple finch. BUTTERFLY: Karner blue. INSECT: Ladybug. FLOWER: Purple lilac. TREE: White birch. GEM: Smoky quartz. SPORT: Skiing. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Civil Rights Day, 3rd Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, 30 May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Election Day, Tuesday following 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years; Veterans Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 7 AM EST = noon GMT.