e-ReferenceDesk's College and 50 State Learning Resource Guide

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State Symbols

The official state symbols represent the cultural heritage and natural treasures of each state or the entire United States

Illinois Symbols

Illinois Symbols

American Folk Dance, Amphibian, Animal, Bird, Fish, Flag, Flower, Fossil, Insect, Language, Mineral, Motto, Nicknames, Prairie Grass, Reptile, Seal, Slogan, Snack food, Soil, Song, Theatre, Tree

Illinois State Slogan

"Land of Lincoln"

Adopted in 1955.

The "Land of Lincoln" was adopted as the Illinois State Slogan in 1955. Abraham Lincoln (the sixteenth president of the United States) is recognized for his noble vision, statemanship, humanity, and political skill. He is one of this country's most enduring symbols of democracy.

The slogan "Land of Lincoln" certainly describes Illinois well. Abraham Lincoln moved to Macon County, Illinois from Indiana in 1830 when he was 21 years old. He lived in Illinois until he became president in 1861.

In addition to serving as President of the United States, Lincoln represented Illinois in the U. S. House of Representatives for one term (1847-1849). He was a member of the Illinois State Legislature from 1834 to 1841 (four terms).

Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois home is a National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service. The Lincoln tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois is a State Historic Site. It is one of the most visited sites in Illinois.

How did it become a state symbol?

(from Illinois Blue Book, 1993-1994)

The slogan that appears on Illinois license plates was adopted in 1955 by the General Assembly. In that same year. the US Congress passed a special act granting to the State of Illinois a copyright for exclusive use of the "Land of Lincoln" insignia.

State Symbols

State symbols represent things that are special to a particular state.

symbol \ˈsim-bəl\
noun

Etymology:
in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together, compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date: 15th century

1: Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.