State Flower:

Violet

New Jersey's Garden Clubs helped to make the common meadow violet the official State Flower in 1971.

State Bird:

Eastern Gold Finch

One reason the Eastern Gold Finch was adopted as the official State Bird in 1935 was because of its unique whistle that seems to say "hello."

State Tree:

Red Oak

Adopted in 1950, the Red Oak became the official State Tree so that New Jersey could give its State Bird an official place to nest.

State Flag:

The date of 1776 refers to the Revolution in which New Jersey played a prominent part. The colors are the military colors of General George Washington's troops. Washington chose Jersey blue and beige to distinguish his troops from the Dutch or Swedes who wore blue and orange or blue and yellow. The horse on the shield stands for the state animal. The helmet shows that New Jersey governs itself. The goddess on the left is Liberty holding a staff with a liberty cap. The goddess on the right is Ceres, goddess of agriculture, holding a cornucopia. Between them is a blue shield with three plows referring to the state nickname the "Garden State."

Famous Person:

Grover Cleveland

He was the only president to succeed his successor, becoming the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. Cleveland was known as an honest, fair, hardworking man. In the election of 1884 "Grover the Good" became the first Democratic President in 24 years, yet he was deeply disliked by both parties. "We love him for the enemies he has made," was what the delegates said at the Democratic National Convention. One newspaper ran an editorial with the headline, "Four Good Reasons for Electing Cleveland: 1. He is honest. 2. He is honest. 3. He is honest. 4. He is honest."

Once in office Cleveland continued his ideals and continued to make enemies as he stamped out corruption, even within his own party. He lost his campaign for reelection because of his stand on tariffs. He was against them. Believed consumers bore the brunt of the costs, and concluded that a high tariff taxed the many for the benefit of the few. His party begged him not to make an issue of this in the campaign, but Cleveland responded, "What's the use of being elected or reelected unless you stand for something." He lost the race to Benjamin Harrison. But ran against Harrison again in the next presidential race and won.