Information and history of the state of South Carolina

Following exploration of the coast in 1521 by Francisco de Gordillo, the Spanish and French tried unsuccessfully to establish a colonies. The first English settlement was made in 1670 at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River, but poor conditions drove the settlers to the site of Charleston.

South Carolina, officially separated from North Carolina in 1729. South Carolina was the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, and the 8th state to ratify the US Constitution on May 23, 1788. South Carolina later became the first state to vote to secede from the Union which it did on December 20, 1860. It was readmitted to the United States on June 25, 1868.

Some South Carolina Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Shell	3. State Flower	4. State Fish	5. State Insect
6. State Tree	7. State Reptile	8. State Fruit	9. State Gem Stone	10. State Animal

1. Carolina Wren - The Carolina wren was designated the official state bird of South Carolina in 1948.
2. Lettered Olive - South Carolina designated the lettered olive as the official state shell in 1984.
3. Yellow Jessamine - Yellow Jessamine was designated the official state flower of South Carolina in 1924
4. Striped Bass - South Carolina designated the striped bass as the official state fish in 1972.
5. Carolina Mantid - South Carolina designated the Carolina mantid as the official state insect in 1988.
6. Sabal Palmetto - South Carolina designated the sabal palmetto as the official state tree in 1939.
7. Loggerhead Sea Turtle - South Carolina designated the loggerhead sea turtle as the official state reptile in 1988.
8. Peach - South Carolina designated the peach as official state fruit in 1984.
9. Amethyst - South Carolina designated amethyst as the official state gemstone in 1969.
10. White-Tailed Deer - South Carolina designated the white-tailed deer as official state animal in 1972.

Did you know?

• The walls of the American fort on Sullivan Island, in Charleston Harbor, were made of spongy Palmetto logs. This was helpful in protecting the fort because the British cannonballs bounced off the logs.
• The first boll weevil found in South Carolina is on display at the Pendleton District Agricultural Museum.
• At the Riverbanks Zoological Park in Columbia more than 2000 animals thrive in recreated natural habitats with no bars or cages.
• There is an old saying in Marion that anyone who drinks water from Catfish Creek becomes infatuated with the area and wishes to remain there.
• The state dance of South Carolina is the Shag!
• Sumter has the largest Gingko farm in the world.