STATE FLOWER
Rhode Island's State Flower: The Violet
The violet (Viola) represents Rhode Island — chosen by schoolchildren in 1897, though it waited 71 years to become official.
A Long Wait for Legal Status
Rhode Island's schoolchildren voted for the violet on Arbor Day in 1897, and it became the state's informal favorite from that point on — but without any actual law behind it. It took until 1968, when teacher and politician Francis Sherman drafted and pushed through a bill, for the violet to finally receive official recognition.
QUICK FACT
New Jersey and Illinois also chose the violet, making it one of the most widely shared state flowers in the country.
