National South Carolina Day: Interesting Facts About 'The Palmetto State'

National South Carolina Day is commemorated annually on Aug. 31 to celebrate the unique beauty and personality of "The Palmetto State."

National Day Calendar celebrates a National Day in honor of each state in the order that they joined the union. On this occasion, all eyes are on South Carolina, which was the eighth state to join the union.

People can celebrate the event by visiting some interesting places in the state -- from Charleston Historic District to the famous Myrtle Beach. Foodies may even join the celebration by indulging in iconic South Carolina cuisines such as the She-Crab soup, the Hoppin' John, Frogmore Stew and the classic shrimp and grits.

To mark the occasion, let's get to know South Carolina a little bit more by looking at some interesting facts about it. (Courtesy: National Geographic Kids, History and National Days Today)

1. South Carolina is known as "The Palmetto State" because it has many Sabal Palmetto trees. It was also previously known as The Iodine State because of the large percentages of iodine in its fruits and vegetables.
2. Native American tribes such as the Creek, Santee and Cherokee people lived in the area now known as South Carolina for thousands of years. Evidence suggests people arrived in the area some 50,000 years ago.
3. The state's motto is the Latin phrase "Dum Spiro Spero," which means "While I breathe, I hope."
4. There's a mysterious circle of 4,000-year-old shells on Hilton Head Island. Called the Sea Pines Shell Ring, it comprises hundreds of thousands of mussels, oysters and clamshells. It is believed to have been a ceremonial area for the Native Americans, and is the "oldest known archaeological site on Hilton Head Island."
5. The smallest town in the state is Smyrna. It is just about 0.7 square miles and had a population of just 45 people in 2010 and 53 as of 2019.
6. South Carolina is home to rich wildlife including bobcats, river otters, corn snakes, American alligators and the eastern narrow-mouth toad. Some of its avian species are also named after the state.
7. The state flower is the yellow jasmine, the state bird is the Carolina wren and its state tree is the cabbage palmetto.
8. As of 2011, there are over 350 golf courses within South Carolina.
9. There are many famous athletes who were born in South Carolina including tennis player Althea Gibson, NBA Hall-of-Famer Kevin Garnett, baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson and boxing champion Joe Frazier.
10. South Carolina's coastline near Myrtle Beach is now among the premier resort destinations on the East Coast.