Wyoming

	State Flag
	Verna Keyes made the state flag of Wyoming, on January 31st, 1917.  The red borderline around the flag stands for the blood of the Native Americans and the Cowboys lost during battles. The white shows the purity and richness of Wyoming.  The blue describes the sky and the mountains. The bison in the center of the flag shows that Wyoming appreciates the state monarch of the plains. Also on the flag is the state seal.  The colors are based on the nation’s colors.	Wyoming
	State Seal
	The state seal has a lot of meaning to Wyoming.  The banner states “Equal Rights,” because Wyoming was the first state to let women vote.  The men that surround the women symbolize the cowboys, miners, and rancheros. The pillars have banners wrapping around them. The banners say, “Livestock, Grain, Mines, and Oil.” These are the major products of Wyoming. On the top of the pillar are rest lamps. The rest lamps are burning for the Light of Knowledge. At the bottom, there is a badge that has a star in it, because it was the forty-forth state. The badge and the eagle stand for the United States of America. 1869 is when Wyoming became a state. 1890 is when Wyoming gained statehood.
	State Bird
	The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of Wyoming.  It lives in 2/3 of the United States. It has a yellow breast with a black bib wrapping around it. The Western Meadowlark is well known for its melodic song. You will usually see them singing on a fencepost. It is a small bird, with the scientific name Sturnella Neglecta.  They build their nests in trees. Their nests are made of twigs and a grass roof, along with an entrance for the bird can fit inside.  The male, to find a mate, they would chase after the female. It was adopted as the state bird on February 5, 1927.	Art
	State Flower
	The state flower of Wyoming is the Indian Paintbrush, also known as the painted cup. The Indian Paintbrush, (casteilleja linariaefolia) is inconspicuous. They are usually red with flowerlike bracts. The significance of the Indian Paintbrush is that it is one of the few plants that can grow in serpentine soils. Their roots are partially part of other green plants. The Indians, Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family) used these flowers to make their hair look shinier. The Indian Paintbrush was adopted on January 31st, 1917.
	*The above article was produced by an anonymous 5th grade student from Peterson Elementary
	Bibliography 1. The World Book Encyclopedia-World Book Inc., Chicago, 1986.Vol. 21, pg.428-448. 2. http://www.windrivercountry.com/windriverres/chiefwashakie.html 3. http://www.shgresources.com/tx/symbols/ 4. http://www.wyonebtourism.com/NorthP/TrailRuts/default.asp 5. http://www.bdt.com/david/wyot.html 6. http://www.nps.gov/grte/