Virginia
is a state steeped in history. Before the arrival of the Europeans, Chief
Powhatan ruled over the untamed land. Chief Powhatan fathered one of
Virginia's more famous historical figures, Pocahontas. The first permanent
English settlement in America, at Jamestown in 1607, set the stage for the
taming of the wilderness.
Virginia
played a central role during the American Revolution, from Patrick Henry's
fiery oration "Give me liberty or give me death", to the
eventual surrender of Lord Cornwallis to Washington at Yorktown. And
during the Civil War, Virginia saw more battles fought on her soil than
any other state. Many of these battlegrounds are now national historic
sites, and are visited by thousands of tourists annually.
Virginia
also holds the distinction of being the birthplace of eight U.S.
presidents. No wonder they say that Virginia's history is America's
history!
| THE NAME:
Virginia was named to honor Queen Elizabeth of England often referred to as the "Virgin Queen."
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Old Dominion: This nickname for the state of Virginia originated in Colonial days. Dominion
refers to complete ownership of a particular piece of land or territory.
Because he considered the Virginians "the best of his distant children," sometime around 1663,
King Charles II of
England elevated Virginia to the position of dominion along with England, Scotland, Ireland, and France.
The citizens of Virginia were pleased with this elevated status because they considered themselves the most faithful
of the King's settlements in America. Since their settlement was the oldest of King Charles' settlements in
America, they adopted the name "The Old Dominion." A variation of this name is "The Ancient Dominion."
Mother of Presidents: Sometimes Virginia is called the "Mother of Presidents" because so many of the
early presidents of the United States were native Virginians.
Mother of Statesmen: Because of the number of statesmen produced by Virginia, this nickname has been used.
Mother of States: Virginia has been called the "Mother of States" because she was the first of the states
to be settled and because of the number of states that were "born" of the Virginia territory. West
Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and, even a part of Minnesota were all a part of the
original Virginia territory.
The Cavalier State: This nickname is derived from the Cavaliers (supporters of King Charles I during the
English Civil War) who left England and came to Virginia during, and shortly after, the reign of
King Charles I of England.
Down Where the South Begins: Radio broadcasters referred to Virginia as "Down Where the South Begins" because
of its location. Virginia is the most southern of the Middle Atlantic States.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Virginia or who come from Virginia are called Virginians. |
THE PRESIDENTS:
Virginia earned the nickname, "Mother of Presidents" for good reason. Though her contribution wained after 1850, The
Old Dominion gave birth to eight men who attained the office of President of the United States:
- George Washington: 1st President of the United States, George Washington was born on February 22,
1732, on Pope Creek in Westmoreland County. The nation's military leader during the Revolutionary War, George Washington
was a unanimous choice. He served for two terms, from 1789 to 1797. [ More ]
- Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 at
Shadwell plantation, Gooch County. Following John Adams of Massachusetts, Thomas Jefferson served two terms from 1801 to
1809.
- James Madison: 4th President of the United States, James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in
Port Conway. He served two terms from 1809 to 1817.
- James Monroe: 5th President of the United States, James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County on
April 28, 1758. He served two terms from 1817 to 1825.
- William Henry Harrison: 9th President of the United States, William Henry Harrison was born on
February 9, 1773 on Berkeley plantation, Charles City County. His term in office was unfortunately short-lived as William
Henry Harrison succumbed to pneumonia on April 4, 1841, only one month after his inauguration. He was the first
President to die while in office.
- John Tyler: 10th President of the United States, Vice President John Tyler set the precedent for
presidential succession when he took office after William Henry Harrison's death. He served the remainder of Harrison's
term from 1841 to 1845. John Tyler was born on March 20, 1790 in Charles City County.
- Zachary Taylor: 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784,
near Barboursville. He became the second President to die in office when he succumbed to "cholera morbus" on July 9, 1850,
only sixteen months after his inauguration. Vice President Millard Fillmore, a native New Yorker became the thirteenth
President of the United States after Taylor's death.
- Thomas Woodrow Wilson: 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilsong was born on December 28,
1856, in Staunton. He served two terms from 1913 to 1921.
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THE QUARTER:
On April 10, 1606, King James I of England chartered the Virginia Company to encourage colonization in the New World.
The first expedition, consisting of the three ships depicted on the quarter, embarked from London on December 20, 1606.
On May 12, 1607, they landed on a small island along the James River nearly 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
It was here the original settlers established the first permanent English settlement called Jamestown, in honor of King
James I.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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