Explore South Carolina

Learn about South Carolina. You may be surprised at what you'll find!

In addition to the topics below, you can also delve into South Carolina's history by visiting the Social Studies section.

Public schools observe John C. Calhoun's birthday, March 18, as South Carolina Day.

Within this Collection

The Carolina Parrot | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Carolina Parrot | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 21

The Carolina Parrot, drawn and engraved by John James Audubon, is now extinct. Courtesy of the Thomas Cooper Library, Rare Books and Special Collections, University of South Carolina.

The Yellow Jessamine and Carolina Wren | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Yellow Jessamine and Carolina Wren | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 20

The Yellow Jessamine is the official State Flower of South Carolina, and the Carolina Wren, the State Bird. Recognition of the wren was unofficial until 1948, when the legislature passed an act...

The Three Flags of the South Carolina State House | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Three Flags of the South Carolina State House | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 19

The three flags of the South Carolina State House at half-mast after the "Challenger" space shuttle explosion. Taken January 29, 1986. Courtesy of "The State" newspaper.

South Carolina State Flag | History of SC Slide Collection

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South Carolina State Flag | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 18

The present South Carolina State Flag, adopted in 1861. Courtesy of Fort Moultrie National Park.

The Palmetto Guard Flag | History of SC Slide Collection

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The Palmetto Guard Flag | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 17

The Palmetto Guard flag, flown over Fort Moultrie during the War of 1812. Courtesy of the Fort Sumter National Monument.

Workman Vacuuming the State Seal | History of SC Slide Collection

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Workman Vacuuming the State Seal | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 16

Workman vacuuming the State Seal in a carpet in the Senate. Photo by Maxie Roberts, January 11, 1986. Courtesy of "The State" newspaper.

South Carolina State Seal | History of SC Slide Collection

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South Carolina State Seal | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 15

The South Carolina State Seal. The shield on the left displays the palmetto tree, adopted as a state symbol after the palmetto logs (of which the fort on Sullivan's Island was built) successfully...

South Carolina Stamp | History of SC Slide Collection

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South Carolina Stamp | History of SC Slide Collection

Episode 13

This stamp commemorated the 200th anniversary of South Carolina's ratification of the United States Constitution.

History of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Riverbanks Roundup Bits

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History of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Riverbanks Roundup Bits

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a historical site as well as zoo. Local historian Scott P. talks about how the old Saluda River Bridge was burned in 1865 in an effort to stop Sherman's March into...

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 6 6

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 6

Episode 6

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 5 5

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 5

Episode 5

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 4 4

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 4

Episode 4

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 3 3

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 3

Episode 3

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 1 1

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 1

Episode 1

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 2 2

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Lemmon Hill Plantation, Part 2

Episode 2

Project Discovery visits a restored plantation from the 1790s, built in Winnsboro, in Fairfield County.

SC State House, Part 4 4

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SC State House, Part 4

Episode 4

Questions could only be asked during the live program. Please do not call now. Questions include the following: Years for renovation to be completed: 3 full years Cost of the renovation: Whole project...

SC State House, Part 3 3

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Higher Education

SC State House, Part 3

Episode 3

Architect Joe Rogers discusses renovations needed to bring the South Carolina State House up to current building standards for the safety of occupants, work that was needed on the foundation, and...

SC State House, Part 2 2

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SC State House, Part 2

Episode 2

The construction of the State House was begun in 1855 and continued through February 17, 1865. It is South Carolina's third State House. The first one was built in the mid-18th century in Charleston...

SC State House, Part 1 1

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SC State House, Part 1

Episode 1

A visit to the renovated South Carolina State House. At the end of the 1995 Legislative Session, State House staff moved across the street and the construction crews moved in. Many challenges were...

Reef-X | SCETV Series & Specials

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Reef-X | SCETV Series & Specials

A program through which decommissioned military equipment is cleaned, carefully prepared, and then placed in the ocean bed to build reefs off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina. "Artificial" reefs...

Dori Sanders: Clover | Periscope

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Dori Sanders: Clover | Periscope

Episode 12

The setting for her first book, Clover, is a peach farm like the one Dori Sanders grew up on. Clover was published in 1990 and immediately became a best-seller. In the story, Clover is a 10-year-old...

Philip Simmons | Periscope

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Philip Simmons | Periscope

Episode 8

At the age of 12, Philip became an apprentice to a blacksmith. It was a hard job. Apprentices swept floors, shoed horses and worked simple pieces of iron while laboring around a hot forge. Only after...

3D VR - Historic Brattonsville Homestead House | Let's Go

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3D VR - Historic Brattonsville Homestead House | Let's Go

Homestead House was built in 1823-1826 by Dr. John Simpson Bratton, son of William and Martha Bratton. In the early 19th century, William Bratton’s son, Dr. John Bratton, inherited the estate. He was...

Girls Rock Columbia | Palmetto Scene Cocky's Reading Express Promoting Early Literacy Across SC | Palmetto Scene

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Cocky's Reading Express Promoting Early Literacy Across SC | Palmetto Scene

The Cocky’s Reading Express is a literacy program in which students from the University of South Carolina read to the children. The USC mascot, Cocky, helps the children understand the importance of...