State of Nebraska
Nicknames: The Cornhusker State
Motto(s): Equality before the law
Date of Statehood: March 1, 1867 (37th state)
State Song: “Beautiful Nebraska” by Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller
Nebraska Flag History
The flag of Nebraska, adopted in 1925, is a symbol of the state’s pride and values. The flag features the state seal on a field of national blue. The seal, which is centrally located, portrays Nebraska’s diverse heritage and its commitment to progress and prosperity. A blacksmith hammers away at an anvil, symbolizing labor and industry, while a settler’s cabin and sheaves of wheat represent agriculture and the state’s rich natural resources. A steamboat on a river signifies commerce and the importance of waterways to the state’s economy.
Above this imagery, the state motto “Equality before the law” emphasizes Nebraska’s commitment to justice and equality. The seal also features the date March 1, 1867, marking Nebraska’s admission to the Union, and a train steaming towards the Rocky Mountains represents Nebraska’s role in national development and westward expansion.
Despite criticism for the complexity of its seal and lack of distinctiveness, the flag symbolizes Nebraska’s work ethic, its agricultural heritage, and its pivotal role in the nation’s expansion. The flag’s blue background reflects the state’s loyalty and unity, and the seal’s imagery collectively portrays a state firmly rooted in its past yet always looking towards the future.
Nebraska Quick Facts
Capital City: Lincoln
Abbreviation: NE
Population: Approximately 1.9 million
Region: Midwest, Great Plains
Origin of State Name: Derived from the Otoe words “Ni Brasge” or the Omaha words “Ni Bthaska,” meaning “flat water,” after the Platte River
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams, significant presence in college sports, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers
Bordering States: South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming
Area Codes: 308, 402, 531
Highest Point: Panorama Point at 5,424 feet (1,653 meters)
Lowest Point: Missouri River at 840 feet (256 meters)
Geography of Nebraska
Area: 77,358 square miles (200,356 square kilometers), 16th largest
Land: 76,872 square miles (199,099 square kilometers), 15th largest
Water: 486 square miles (1,258 square kilometers), 43rd largest
Coastline: None (landlocked state)
Shoreline: None (landlocked state)
Largest Cities:
- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Bellevue
- Grand Island
- Kearney
- Fremont
- Hastings
- North Platte
- Norfolk
- Columbus
- Papillion
- La Vista
- Scottsbluff
- South Sioux City
- Beatrice
National Parks:
- Homestead National Monument of America
- Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
- Niobrara National Scenic River
- Scotts Bluff National Monument
Nebraska State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
State Animal: White-tailed Deer
State Amphibian: None
State Butterfly: None
State Fish: Channel Catfish
State Flower: Goldenrod
State Horse Breed: None
State Insect: Honeybee
State Mammal: White-tailed Deer
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: None
State Gemstone: Blue Agate
State Soil: Holdrege series
State Tree: Cottonwood
State Quarter: Issued in 2006 featuring a covered wagon heading west past Chimney Rock under the state motto “Chimney Rock”
State Beverage: Milk
State Colors: Blue and gold (unofficial)
State Dance: Square Dance
State Food: None
State Fossil: Mammoth
State Mineral: None
State Rock: Prairie Agate