This is a list of symbols of the District of Columbia.
Insignia
Type Symbol Adopted Image Flag Flag of the District of Columbia Code of the District of Columbia § 1–151. Seal Seal of the District of Columbia 1871 Coat of arms Coat of arms of the District of Columbia 1871 Motto Justitia omnibus(Latin for "Justice for all") 1871
Species Type Symbol Description Adopted Image Bird Wood thrush(Hylocichla mustelina) The Wood Thrush is a medium-sized songbird found in eastern North American forests. It has a reddish-brown head and back with a white chest covered in dark spots. The bird is famous for its beautiful, flute-like song that echoes through the woods. Wood Thrushes spend summers in the United States and southern Canada and migrate to Central America for the winter. They usually search for insects, worms, and berries on the forest floor. Their population has declined because of habitat loss and forest fragmentation. 1967 Crustacean Hay's Spring amphipod(Stygobromus hayi) The Stygobromus hayi is a tiny crustacean that lives underground in Washington, D.C. It looks like a small white shrimp and has no eyes because it lives in dark underground springs. This species is only found in a few areas near Rock Creek. It feeds on decaying leaves and other organic material in the water. The animal is endangered because pollution and habitat damage threaten its environment. Scientists consider it one of the rarest animals native to Washington, D.C. 2016 Dinosaur Capitalsaurus 1998 Fish American shad(Alosa sapidissima) The American shad is a species of fish found along the Atlantic coast of North America. It spends most of its life in the ocean but swims into rivers to spawn. American shad are silvery fish that are related to herrings. They were an important food source in early American history and are still valued as food and sport fish today. The fish is known for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and for its flavorful meat and roe. American shad populations have declined in some rivers because dams block their migration routes. 2016 Flower 'American Beauty' rose(Rosa 'American Beauty') The Rosa ‘American Beauty’ is a famous deep pink to crimson rose first bred in France in 1875. It became extremely popular in the United States and was once one of the best-selling roses in the country. The flower is known for its large, strongly scented blooms and long stems. American Beauty roses are often used as cut flowers and garden plants. The rose became a cultural symbol and appeared in music, movies, and artwork, including the film American Beauty. It is also the official flower of Washington, D.C. Fruit Cherry The Cherry is a small, round fruit that grows on trees in the genus Prunus. Cherries are usually red, dark red, or yellow when ripe and can be sweet or sour. Sweet cherries are often eaten fresh, while sour cherries are commonly used in pies, jams, and juices. Cherry trees are also known for their beautiful blossoms, especially in spring. The fruit contains vitamins, antioxidants, and natural sugars. Cherries are grown in many parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. 2006 Mammal Big Brown Bat The Big brown bat is a large species of bat found across North America, Central America, and parts of South America. It has brown fur, broad wings, and uses echolocation to navigate and hunt at night. Big brown bats mainly eat insects such as beetles and moths, which helps control pests. During the day, they rest in caves, trees, tunnels, or buildings. Females gather in maternity colonies in spring to raise their young. Unlike some other bat species, big brown bats are fairly resistant to white-nose syndrome, a disease that has harmed many bats. 2020 Tree Scarlet oak(Quercus coccinea) The Quercus coccinea, also called the scarlet oak, is a large oak tree native to the eastern United States. It is best known for its bright scarlet-red leaves in autumn. The tree grows in dry, sandy, and acidic soils and can reach heights of around 60 to 80 feet. Scarlet oaks produce acorns that provide food for birds, squirrels, deer, and other wildlife. The wood is commonly used for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. It is also planted as an ornamental tree because of its colorful fall foliage and broad shade canopy. 1960
Geology Type Symbol Description Adopted Image Rock Potomac bluestone Potomac bluestone is a metamorphic rock that has been used extensively in the construction of the District of Columbia. It was used as the foundation of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and Washington Monument. Many old houses in the Northwest quadrant, notably the Old Stone House, are constructed out of the rock. 2014
Culture Type Symbol Description Adopted Image Beverage Rickey At the place of origin of the cocktail, Jack Evans, a city councillor, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, the House delegate for the district, unveiled a plaque honoring the Rickey. It was proclaimed "Washington, D.C.'s native cocktail". July was also declared as Rickey Month in the district. Various news outlets subsequently described the Rickey as the city's official cocktail.For example:
2011 Dance Hand dancing Hand dancing is a form of swing dance that is derived from the Lindy Hop and the jitterbug. It is characterized by coordinated footwork, spins, and traveling, where the dance partners communicate moves using hand-based connection. Residents of the District of Columbia invented the dance form in the 1950s, but it fell out of favor in the disco era. A Smithsonian Institution exhibit declaring the dance a national art form led to its resurgence in the 1990s. 1999 March "Our Nation's Capitol" by Anthony A. Mitchell In 1959, Anthony A. Mitchell (pictured), the assistant conductor for the U.S. Navy Band, wrote "Our Nation's Capitol". Robert Enoch McLaughlin, the president of the Board of Commissioners declared it the district's official march in 1961, saying to The Washington Post, "I found it so stirring that for the first time since I left the Naval Academy, I felt like marching." Words were added later by Dixon Redditt. 1961 Music Go-go Go-go music, a type of funk music with an emphasis on rhythmic patterns and melodic call-and-response sessions, originated within the district's African-American community during the mid-1960s to late-1970s. Chuck Brown (pictured), considered the "godfather of go-go", described it as music with a groovy beat that just "goes and goes", coining the name. Strict curfew laws from the 1980s that targeted youth who attend go-go clubs caused the culture to suffer. Upon recognizing the music as an official symbol, the D.C. Council repealed the curfew laws and required the mayor to develop a preservation plan. 2020 Song "Washington" by Jimmie Dodd 1951
See also Outline of the District of Columbia
References