The District has many official symbols that are historically tied to the city; you can read about these below. In January 2006, fifth- and sixth-graders from Anthony Bowen Elementary School proposed an addition to this list: the cherry, as DC's official fruit.

	Seal The District's seal depicts a female representation of Justice hanging a wreath on a statue of George Washington. The seal was created in 1871.			Key to the City The District's Key to the City, designed by native Washingtonian John Dreyfuss, is typically given to heads of state and other dignitaries. The key bears the inscription "Opportunity for All."
	Flower The District's flower is the American Beauty Rose. This rose is a hybrid perpetual and is believed to have been introduced in 1875.			Tree The District's tree is the Scarlet Oak. This oak is a member of the Beech family and is found throughout the eastern United States.
	Bird The District's bird is the Wood Thrush. This songbird is found throughout the eastern United States, though its steady decline in population is causing concern among environmentalists.			Flag The District's flag was adopted in 1938. Its design is based on the shield from George Washington's family coat-of-arms.

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