Because of its central location among other original Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States and also due to the signing of several key American documents (including the Declaration of Independence) in the State, Pennsylvania is referred to as the Keystone State from 1802. Economically too, the State has had a lot of importance in terms of agriculture and industry initiatives producing from fiber, feed, tobacco and food to rifles and Conestoga wagons. The other famous nickname of Pennsylvania is the “Quaker State”.
Even during the colonial times, the State was officially known as the Quaker Province. It was mainly due to the recognition of Quakers by the First Draft of the Constitution for the government of Pennsylvania by William Penn that led to guaranteeing of the liberty of conscience. He was aware of the hostilities faced by the Quakers on their opposition to the rigid religious rituals, violence and wars and what was referred by them as brazen frippery. During various times, other nicknames like”The Oil State”, “The Steel State”, “The Chocolate State” and “The Coal State” also came up. The more recent one that has caught the imagination is “The State of Independence” that is seen on a number of road signs on entering Pennsylvania.
Virtue, liberty and independence are the State motto of Pennsylvania and the State capital is Harrisburg. The White-tailed deer is the State animal while Ruffed Grouse is the State bird of Pennsylvania. Hemlock is the recognized State tree while the State flower is the Mountain Laurel. The State dance is the famous Polka and the State soil is Hazleton. The State beverage is milk and the State fish is Brook Trout. The Crown vetch is the State Beautification Plant. Great Dane is the State dog and the Pennsylvania firefly is the State insect.
