3. Date of statehood: July 26, 1778Date of statehood: July 26, 1778 State capital: AlbanyState capital: Albany Largest City: New York CityLargest City: New York City Nickname: The Empire StateNickname: The Empire State Population: 17,700,000 peoplePopulation: 17,700,000 people New York State Fast Facts

4. New York City (7,322,564 people) Buffalo (328,123 people) Buffalo (328,123 people) Rochester (231,636 people) Rochester (231,636 people) Yonkers (188,082 people) Yonkers (188,082 people) Syracuse (163,860 people) Syracuse (163,860 people) New York’s 5 Largest Cities

5. NEW YORK STATE Counties & Cities Niagara County Sanborn Erie County * Buffalo KEY * = City * Albany * New York City * Rochester

6. The Seal and Flag of New York State Seal –Adopted in 1778 –Gold State Flag –Adopted in 1909 –Navy blue State seal and flag have the same emblem

7. Center shield shows ocean scene Shield is held by two women: Liberty and Justice American eagle sitting on world globe State motto, Excelsior, written on scroll below shield Explanation of New York State Seal and Flag Liberty on left Justice on right

8. The State Bird: Eastern Bluebird Female has paler blue head and tailFemale has paler blue head and tail Male is bright blueMale is bright blue White bellyWhite belly Chestnut-brown feathersChestnut-brown feathers Found in orchards, gardens, farmyardsFound in orchards, gardens, farmyards

9. The State Tree: Sugar Maple Grows to a height of 135 feetGrows to a height of 135 feet Gray bark and dark green leavesGray bark and dark green leaves Leaves turn bright red, orange, yellow in the autumnLeaves turn bright red, orange, yellow in the autumn Wood of maple sugar used for furniture, floors, musical instrumentsWood of maple sugar used for furniture, floors, musical instruments Boil sap of tree for syrupBoil sap of tree for syrup

10. The State Flower: Rose School children voted for symbol in 1891 Officially became the state flower in 1955 Officially became the state flower in 1955 Fragrant flowers with thorny stems Fragrant flowers with thorny stems Roses are red, yellow, and white Roses are red, yellow, and white Grow in bushes and gardens Grow in bushes and gardens

11. More New York State Symbols Animal: Beaver Beverage: Milk Fish: Brook Fossil: Sea Scorpion Fruit: Apple Insect: Ladybug Muffin: Apple Muffin Slogan: I Love New York

12. Governor of New York: George Pataki Responsibilities of the Governor: preparation of the state's executive budget execution and enforcement of state laws Commander-in-Chief of New York's military and naval forces http://www.state.ny.us/governor/ Governor George E. Pataki is our State's 53rd chief executive and was elected to office in 1994.

13. Famous New Yorkers Mariah Carey Christopher Reeve Kareem Abdul-Jabar Tom Cruise Colin Powell Jay Leno Connie Chung Denzel Washington Maurice Sendak Barbara Streisand Tommy Hilfiger E.B. White Eleanor Roosevelt George Clinton Lou Gehrig Rosie Perez

14. Tourism in New York State Statue of LibertyBroadway The Empire State Building Niagara Falls Lockport Locks

15. Future New York State Topics The Erie Canal Underground Railroad Native Americans