Date Posted: 12/10/24
Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Mississippi!
Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec. 10, 1817. Its name comes from a native American word meaning “great waters” or “father of waters.” The low-lying state is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi’s western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River. It is the 32nd largest state by area.
Jackson is the state capital of Mississippi, as well as its largest city, with a metro population of 590,000. The state is the 35th most populous in the country.
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Mississippi’s official state symbols:
– Bird: Mockingbird
– Fish: Largemouth or Black Bass
– Water Mammal: Bottlenosed Dolphin
– State Waterfowl: Wood Duck
– Butterfly: Spicebush Swallowtail
– Land Mammal: Red Fox and White-tailed Deer
– Tree and Flower: Magnolia
Find more information about Mississippi’s state symbols here.
The Mississippi River is the largest in the United States and is the nation’s chief waterway. Its nickname is Old Man River.
Mississippi was the first state in the nation to have a planned system of junior colleges.
In 1963 the University of Mississippi Medical Center accomplished the world’s first human lung transplant and, on January 23, 1964, Dr. James D. Hardy performed the world’s first heart transplant surgery.
The world’s largest shrimp is on display at the Old Spanish Fort Museum in Pascagoula.
The first female rural mail carrier in the United States was Mrs. Mamie Thomas. She delivered mail by buggy to the area southeast of Vicksburg in 1914.
The Vicksburg National Cemetery is the second largest national cemetery in the country. Arlington National Cemetery is the largest.
Famous people from Mississippi include actors Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Oprah Winfrey, and Jim Henson.
Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our Mississippi panel members answered some of our survey questions!
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