# Constitution of the State of Wyoming (2008)/Notable Facts About Wyoming

Notable Facts About Wyoming
NAMING THE TERRITORY
The name Wyoming is probably an imprint left by immigrants on their westward trek from Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania. The word means mountains and valleys alternating, while the Delaware Indian interpretation of it is a corruption of Maugh-wau-wa-ma, meaning “The Large Plains.” The name “Wyoming” was used by J.M. Ashley, of Ohio, who, as early as 1865, introduced into Congress a bill to provide a temporary government “for the territory of Wyoming,” to be formed from portions of Dakota, Utah, and Idaho Territories.
Wyoming Territory came into existence by act of Congress on July 25, 1868, and comprised of Dakota, Utah, and Idaho Territories. The first Territorial Governor, John A. Campbell, appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant, took his oath of office April 15, 1869. The last territorial governor was Francis E. Warren, who continued in office one month after statehood, when he resigned and was elected United States Senator.
Wyoming is renowned as the “Equality State,” having been the first government to grant equal rights to women in the territorial legislature in 1869. Wyoming is more popularly called the “Cowboy State” because of the use of the bucking bronco as its symbol.
STATE SEAL
The great seal of the State of Wyoming was adopted in its present design by the second state legislature, approved on January 10, 1893. The act was amended by the sixteenth legislature, approved February 15, 1921, whereby the width of the seal was reduced from two and one-quarter inches to one and one-half inches.
The two dates on the State seal, 1869-1890, commemorate the organization of the Territorial government and Wyoming’s admission into the Union, respectively. The number, 44, signifies she was the forty-fourth State to be admitted.
The Secretary of State is the Custodian of the Great Seal.
WYOMING STATE FLAG
The State Flag, designed by Miss Verna Keays, of Buffalo, Wyoming for a contest conducted by the Wyoming Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was adopted by the fourteenth legislature on January 31, 1917.
WYOMING “BUCKING HORSE”
The “Bucking Horse” has been used on Wyoming motor vehicle licenses each year since 1936 and is registered under the Wyoming Trademark Act. It has also served as an insignia for the state.
WYOMING STATE MOTTO
The motto “Equal Rights” as it exists on the great seal of the state of Wyoming, is the official motto of Wyoming.
WYOMING DAY
February 19, 1935, the twenty-third legislature designated December 10 in each year as “Wyoming Day.”
WYOMING STATE TREE
The Cottonwood Tree, the Populus Sargentii, was designated by the twenty-ninth legislature of the State of Wyoming on February 1, 1947, as the State Tree.
WYOMING STATE FLOWER
The Indian Paint Brush was adopted by act of the fourteenth legislature of the State of Wyoming on January 31, 1917, as the Official State Flower.
WYOMING STATE BIRD
The Meadowlark (Sturnella magna neglecta) was designated as the State Bird by an act of the nineteenth legislature, on February 5, 1927.
WYOMING STATE SONG
The march song entitled “Wyoming,” written by C.E. Winter, and set to music by G.E. Knapp was adopted by act of the thirty-third legislature in 1955 as the Official Song of Wyoming.
WYOMING STATE STONE
Jade was adopted by an act of the thirty-ninth legislature in 1967 as the Official Gemstone of Wyoming.
WYOMING STATE MAMMAL
The Bison, more commonly called the buffalo, was adopted by an act of the forty-eighth legislature in 1985.
WYOMING STATE FISH
The Salmo Clarki, commonly known as the cutthroat trout, adopted by the 49th Legislature in 1987.
WYOMING STATE FOSSIL
The fossilized fish Knightia, adopted by the 49th Legislature in 1987.
WYOMING STATE REPTILE
The Eastern Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi brevirostre (Girad)) commonly known as the horned toad, is the State Reptile of Wyoming, adopted by the 52nd Legislature in 1993.
WYOMING STATE DINOSAUR
As proclaimed by the fifty-second legislature, the dinosaur Triceratops is the State Dinosaur for Wyoming, adopted by election by Wyoming elementary students in 1994.
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