I never said it was the official symbol of the state, but perhaps you
should look at the reverse of the
current Massachusetts State Quarter, and the 1925 Commemorative Half
Dollar, Mass. apparently thought it
was enough of a symbol to have the mint put it on those two items.
(Perhaps I should have said "a" not "the"
symbol of the state). Apparently I was wrong by the way, the musket was
retained according to this.
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/umas/graphics/new-logos/UMASS-PRIMARY-250.gif
I was working from memory and it was a huge debate...
Fred wrote:
The University of Mass. did remove the musket from the hands of the
Minuteman, (the state symbol and university mascot), in a fit of
political correctness.
I don't know about zoo-Mass's mascot and whether he is now musketless or
not, but the state emblem displays not a minuteman but an Indian (or, to be
"pc", a Native American). And the Indian is still holding his bow in his
right hand and an arrow in his left. "Chapter 2, Section 1 of the
Massachusetts General Laws describes 'The Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth'
as follows: 'The coat of arms of the Commonwealth shall consist of a blue
shield with an Indian thereon, dressed in a shirt, leggings, and moccasins,
holding in his right hand a bow, and in his left hand an arrow, point
downward, all of gold; and in the upper right-hand corner of the field a
silver star of five points. The crest shall be, on a wreath of gold and
blue, a right arm, bent at the elbow, clothed and ruffled, and grasping a
broad-sword, all of gold.'"
Fred from Massachusetts
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
