MISSISSIPPI
State Information
Nickname(s): The Magnolia State
Motto(s): Virtute et Armis
State song(s): Go Mississippi
Capital & Largest City Jackson
Admitted to US 12/10/1817 20th State
Brief History
Here are a few interesting facts about Mississippi:
More than 60% of Mississippi is covered by forests.
Root Beer was invented here in 1898.
The National Geographic is printed in Corinth.
Jackson is the only place sanctioned in the US to host the International Ballet.
Natchez has more buildings on the National Register than any other city.
The internationally recognized Dollar sign ($) was designed by Oliver Pollock in Mississippi.
In the 1800’s and early 1900’s, the steamboat was the popular mode of transportation. Many of the large steamboats were named after Natchez, MS, which was the first major port.
There are several famous individuals including: Jim Henson (Muppets), Oprah Winfrey (TV celebrity), Jimmy Buffett (singer), Bo Diddley (musician), John Grisham (writer), James Earl Jones (actor), Walter Payton (football), Jerry Rice (football), and many others.
Interesting Stories
Friendliest & Safest. Mississippi is one of the friendliest and safest places to live. Southern hospitality awaits all those to travel to this state. It is in the top 16 safest states in the United States. It has southern hospitality and charm and is known as the “Riviera of the South.” Nostalgia resides at every corner.
Brett Favre was born in Gulfport, MS, and was raised in a small town of Kiln. He has a birth connection to the Choctaw Native Americans. In college his coach wanted to play him as a defensive back, but Brett wanted a quarterback role. He finally got his chance in a game against Tulane, even though he was sick at the time. He led the team to a come-from-behind victory with two touchdown passes. Brett was drafted by Atlanta, despite the opposition of the head coach who said that it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre in the game. Brett’s first pass in the NFL was an interception and out of four attempts two were intercepted. He was promptly traded to the Green Bay Packers and the rest is history. Since retiring from the NFL, he’s been asked to jump into politics in Mississippi. “Not yet,” he says.
Tammy Wynette from Tremont, Mississippi, was a great country music singer-songwriter. She grew up poor, in a home without indoor toilets or running water. She did not start out in music. She was an all-star basketball player, which gave her confidence. And she worked as a hairdresser, which gave her financial security. When she needed extra money she would perform in a couple of night clubs. People liked her voice, and a record producer signed her to a contract. Her best known song, “Stand by Your Man,” earned her the title of the First Lady of Country Music. The woman’s rights movement criticized her song, but their criticism had the opposite effect, shooting the song to the number one. Hard work, talent and courage define her.