The General Assembly adopted the current version of South Carolina's flag on January 28, 1861. This version added the Palmetto tree to the original design by Colonel William Moultrie in 1775 for use by South Carolina troops during the Revolutionary War. 

South Carolina's State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton and Arthur Middleton in 1776. John Rutledge, the President of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, used the Seal for the first time on May 22, 1777. The current seal is made up of two elliptical areas linked by branches of the palmetto tree. The left oval is the palmetto tree with a fallen oak at the base. The right oval is the goddess Spes (Hope) walking on the beach at dawn over discarded weapons.

South Carolina's economy was ranked the 25th largest in the United States based on GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2020.

South Carolina is the 23rd largest state in population in the United States. The 2021 population is 5,179,334.

Quick facts about the South Carolina Government

South Carolina has two official mottoes: 

Animis Opibusque Parati (ah-ni-mis oh-pi-boos-kwe pah-rah-tee) means prepared in minds and resources. 

Dum Spiro Spero (doom spee-roh spey-roh) means while I breathe, I hope. 

South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on May 23, 1788. 

South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State in honor of the Palmetto tree, but did you know that South Carolina was nicknamed the Iodine State at one point? South Carolina received this name due to the large percentage of iodine found in the vegetation growing in the state. 

Indigo Blue was designated as the official Color of the State by Act Number 200 of 2008. The purplish-blue-hued Indigo plant formed a significant part of the South Carolina economy from the late 1740s to the late 1790s. 

The 295-acre South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University was designated the State Botanical Garden by Act Number 288 of 1992.