Louisiana State Day, Motto, and Nickname

STATE DAY April 30 STATUS Unofficial DATE OF ADMISSION TO UNITED STATES April 30, 1812 RANKING IN STATE ADMISSION 18th FORMER DESIGNATIONS Territory of Orleans West Florida  HISTORY Like several of its southern neighbors, Louisiana has had a troubled history of statehood. On April 30, 1812, the state of Louisiana, formerly known as the Territory of Orleans, was accepted into the Union. The political and racial strife that plagued much of the South finally culminated for Louisiana on January 26, 1861 with its secession from the United States. The city of New Orleans was captured by Union forces the following year and remained under occupation for the rest of the year. Louisiana was readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868. Mardi Gras Day (or "Fat Tuesday") is also something of an unofficial state day in Louisiana. It is celebrated with an annual parade in New Orleans on the day before Ash Wednesday. MOTTO "Union, Justice, Confidence" The three words of the motto appear on the state seal and also have been connected with the wording of the state’s pledge of allegiance, which states that the people of Louisiana will be "united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here." The motto appears to have been adopted at the same time as the state seal, April 30, 1902. NICKNAMES "The Pelican State" (official), "The Bayou State," "Holland of America," "The Child of the Mississippi," "Creole State," "Fisherman’s Paradise," "Sportsman’s Paradise," "The Sugar State" The nickname "The Pelican State" refers to the state bird of Louisiana, the brown pelican, which can be found throughout Louisiana and other Gulf states. "Bayou State" refers to the many bayous located throughout the state, particularly in the southern half. "Holland of America," refers to the many waterways found in the state, both natural and manmade. Louisiana is also located at the delta of the Mississippi River, which provides for a major portion of Louisiana’s river economy and gives it the state nickname of "The Child of the Mississippi." "Creole State" refers to Louisiana’s large French-Catholic population whose cultural heritage originated in the state’s pre-Revolutionary War period.  "Fisherman’s Paradise" is a nickname that supports Louisiana’s sport fishing industry, for which the state is well known. Similarly, "Sportsman’s Paradise" (currently used on license plates) originates from Louisiana’s fame for its many outdoor sports. The various sporting activities are a major contribution to Louisiana’s tourism industry. Sugar cane is a major crop of Louisiana, thus its nickname "The Sugar State." -World Trade Press