State of New Hampshire
Nicknames: The Granite State
Motto(s): Live Free or Die
Date of Statehood: June 21, 1788 (9th state)
State Song: “Old New Hampshire” by Dr. John F. Holmes and Maurice Hoffmann
New Hampshire Flag History
The flag of New Hampshire, adopted in 1909, is a representation of the state’s history and its values. The flag is a deep blue, symbolizing the vast clear skies. At the center of the flag is the state seal, which is surrounded by a laurel wreath with nine stars, representing New Hampshire’s status as the ninth state to join the Union.
The seal depicts the frigate USS Raleigh and is surrounded by the laurel wreath, symbolizing fame, honor, and victory. The USS Raleigh was one of the first thirteen warships sponsored by the Continental Congress for a new American navy, built in 1776, at Portsmouth. The water symbolizes the harbor of Portsmouth, and in the foreground, granite boulders and a granite wall represent the state’s rugged terrain and resilience.
The New Hampshire flag, with its rich symbols, reflects the state’s history, its commitment to freedom and independence, and its pride in its natural resources. The flag serves as a reminder of the state’s role in the American Revolution and its ethos, “Live Free or Die.”
New Hampshire Quick Facts
Capital City: Concord
Abbreviation: NH
Population: Approximately 1.4 million
Region: Northeast, New England
Origin of State Name: Named after the English county of Hampshire
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams, significant presence in college sports
Bordering States: Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and the Canadian province of Quebec
Area Codes: 603
Highest Point: Mount Washington at 6,288 feet (1,917 meters)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean
Geography of New Hampshire
Area: 9,349 square miles (24,214 square kilometers), 46th largest
Land: 8,953 square miles (23,187 square kilometers), 44th largest
Water: 396 square miles (1,026 square kilometers), 49th largest
Coastline: 13 miles (21 kilometers)
Shoreline: 131 miles (211 kilometers), including lakes and rivers
Largest Cities:
- Manchester
- Nashua
- Concord
- Derry
- Dover
- Rochester
- Salem
- Merrimack
- Hudson
- Londonderry
- Keene
- Portsmouth
- Bedford
- Goffstown
- Laconia
National Parks:
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
New Hampshire State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Purple Finch
State Animal: White-tailed Deer
State Amphibian: Red-spotted Newt
State Butterfly: Karner Blue
State Fish: Brook Trout
State Flower: Purple Lilac
State Horse Breed: None
State Insect: Ladybug
State Mammal: White-tailed Deer
State Reptile: Common Garter Snake
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Pumpkin
State Gemstone: Smoky Quartz
State Soil: Marlow
State Tree: White Birch
State Quarter: Issued in 2000 featuring The Old Man of the Mountain, a rock formation on Cannon Mountain
State Beverage: Apple Cider
State Colors: None official
State Dance: Square Dance
State Food: None
State Fossil: None
State Mineral: Beryl
State Rock: Granite