New York is also known as the Empire State, and entered into Statehood on July 26, 1788.  The New York State Capital is Albany, and the New Jersey State motto is excelsior which means ever upward.  The New York State animal is the beaver (1975).  The New York State fish is the brook trout (1975).  The New York State gem is the garnet (1969).  The New York State flower is the rose (1955).  The New York State tree is the sugar maple (1956).  The New York State bird is the bluebird (1970).  The New York State insect is the ladybug (1989).  The New York State song is "I Love New York" (1980).