Abstract:
Since the Great Seal was authorized by the State Constitution, North Carolina has been slow to add other official emblems. The flag was not adopted until 1885, the state motto until 1893, the state song in 1927, and the state flower in 1941. The Carolina chickadee became the state bird in 1931 by an act of the General Assembly, but the act was repealed seven days later. Finally in March 1943, the cardinal was named the official state bird.