Michigan

Michigan was the 26th state in the USA; it became a state on January 26, 1837. It is
abbreviated MI and its state capital is called Lansing. The largest city in Michigan is
Detroit. Detroit is known as the car capital of the world. Most of Michigans economy is
based on the auto industry. The three major car manufacturing companies (Ford, General
Motors, and Chrysler) are based in Detroit. Michigan is nicknamed the Wolverine State.
Some people believe that Ohioans gave Michigan the nickname The Wolverine State
around 1835 during a dispute over the Toledo strip, a piece of land along the border between
Ohio and Michigan. Rumors in Ohio at the time described Michiganians as being as vicious
and bloodthirsty as wolverines. Michigan is also called the Great Lake State because it
touches 4 out of 5 of the Great Lakes. To help remember the names of the Great Lakes
remember the acronym HOMES Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. (Lake
Ontario is the only one that doesnt touch Michigan.) Major products of this state include
blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes, peaches, wine, sugar beets, navy beans, soybeans, and
automobiles. Major waterways include Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake
Erie, Straits of Mackinac, and Lake St. Clair. The state animal is the white-tailed deer, the
state bird is the Robin, the state flower is the apple blossom and the state insect is the Green
Darner Dragonfly.
Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations. Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids
and became the 38th president of the United States He attended the University of Michigan
where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward
represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also was an Eagle Scout, the highest
rank in Boy Scouts. The Kellogg Company has made Battle Creek the Cereal Capital of the
World. The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered the process for producing flaked cereal
products and sparked the beginning of the dry cereal industry. The Detroit Zoo was the first
zoo in America to feature cage less, open-exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to
roam. Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.
Michigan's official flag was adopted in 1911. The flag has a deep blue background and
pictures an elk and moose around a blue shield labeled "TUEBOR," meaning "I will defend."
The shield pictures a man with a raised hand and a gun, a rising sun, a peninsula and lakes
(representing Michigan's geography). Over the shield is a bald eagle (holding an olive
branch and a sheaf of three arrows) and a red ribbon reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM"
(which is the motto of the U.S.A. and means "Out of Many, One" - this refers to the states
of the United States being united into one country). Under everything lie two white ribbons
that read "SI QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM" and "CIRCUM SPICE," which
means, "If you are seeking an amenable (pleasant) peninsula, look around you."

Indiana
Indiana was the 19th state in the USA; it became a state on December 11, 1816. It is
abbreviated IN and its state capital is Indianapolis. Indiana sits, as its motto claims, at the
crossroads of America. It borders Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan to the north,
Ohio to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Illinois to the west, making it an integral part
of the American Midwest. The name Indiana originated from the words 'Land of the
Indians'. Major Rivers that run through the state are; Ohio River, Wabash River, White
River and the Tippecanoe River. Major industries are Agriculture including corn, grain,
soybeans, dairy products, and melons. Steel, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles,
chemical products, and machinery are also major manufacturing tools. The state nickname
is called the Crossroads of America. The Crossroads of America is a nickname given to the
state of Indiana as it, and, more specifically, the city of Indianapolis is the hub for several
major Interstate highways that crisscross the state, connecting Hoosiers to the rest of the
United States. The highest geographical point in Indiana is Hoosier Hill in Wayne County
which is 1,257 feet above sea level.
The Indianapolis 500 Car Race is the biggest sporting event in the world. The Indiana State
Flag has 19 stars. The 19th star stands for Indiana being the 19th state admitted into the
Union. The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1871.
Indiana has a city named Santa Claus. Each year hundreds of thousands of letters are mailed
there at Christmas time. Some of Indianas famous citizens include Michael Jackson, David
Letterman, and Benjamin Harrison.
The official state flag of Indiana was adopted in 1917. It was designed by Paul Hadley of
Mooresville, Indiana; he won a flag design contest sponsored by the DAR (Daughters of the
American Revolution) for Indiana's 100th anniversary of statehood in 1916. There are 19
golden stars on a blue field. The 13 stars in the outer circle represent the 13 original colonies
of the United States of America; the 5 stars in a half circle represent the states admitted
prior to Indiana (but after the original 13), and the larger star atop the flame of the torch of
Liberty represents Indiana.

Ohio
Ohio was the 17th state in the USA; it became a state on March 1, 1803. It is abbreviated OH
and its state capital is Columbus. Ohio is nicknamed the Buckeye State. Partly because
many buckeye trees once covered Ohio's hills and plains. The name buckeye stems from
Native Americans - Indians called the nut "hetuck" (meaning buck eye, as the markings on
the nut resemble the eye of a deer). Major Industries in Ohio include manufacturing such as
steel, cars, airplanes, rubber products, chemicals, and plastics. Farming and coal mining are
also the top major industries in the state. Ohios highest geographical point is Campbell Hill
which is at 1,550 feet above sea level. Ohios bodies of water include Lake Erie, Grand Lake,
Ohio River, Cuyahoga River, Scioto River, and Miami River.
In 1879, Cleveland became the first city to be lighted by electricity. Cleveland had the first
traffic light in 1914. Cleveland also installed the first pedestrian button for the control of a
traffic light. Neil Armstrong, from Wapakoneta, Ohio became the first man to walk on the
moon. Ohio is the leading producer of greenhouse and nursery plants. John Lambert of
Ohio City made America's first automobile in 1891.
Ohio is known as the "Modern Mother of Presidents", having sent eight of its native sons to
the White House. Seven of them were Republicans. Their names are Ulysses S. Grant,
Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William
H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
The state animal is the white-tailed deer, the state insect is the Ladybug, the state flower is
the Red Carnation and the state beverage is Tomato Juice.
The official state flag of Ohio, called the Ohio burgee, was adopted in 1902. John Eisemann
designed this flag; it was based upon the pennant used by the Ohio cavalry between 1862 and
1865.
This is the only American state flag that is not a rectangle. The 13 stars near the circle
represent the original 13 states in the USA; the 4 extra stars near the peak of the triangle
symbolize the fact that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union. The blue triangle
represents Ohio's hill country. The white "O" may stand for Ohio (but it isn't certain).

Illinois
Illinois was the 21st state in the USA; it became a state on December 3, 1818. It is abbreviated
IL and its state capital is Springfield. Chicago is Illinois largest city. The origin of Illinoiss
name is from an Indian word and French suffix, meaning "tribe of superior men". Major
industries in Illinois include agriculture such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, rye and
sorghum. They also have cattle, manufacturing, and mining. The state certainly does have
everything from small towns and idyllic farms to big cities and industrial might.
Illinois is one of the leading producers of corn and soybeans, but it is also the home of the
world's busiest airport and towering skyscrapers. With access to the Great Lakes and the
Mississippi River, and its central location within the states, Illinois is a natural center for
transportation. In fact, the state has the greatest concentration of land, water, and air
transportation facilities in the entire world. The state nickname is called the Prairie State.
This familiar nickname for Illinois dates back at least as far as 1842. Most of the state was
once covered with prairie grasses. Major waterways that are in or pass through Illinois are
Lake Michigan, Illinois River, Fox River, Ohio River, Des Plaines River,
Chicago River and Mississippi River. The most famous citizens of this state are Ulysses S.
Grant who was the 18th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln who was the 16th
President of the U.S, Ronald Reagan who was the 40th President of the U.S, and Barack
Obama is the 44th President of the United States. Walt Disney was also born in Chicago.
The state animal is the white-tailed deer, the state flower is the Violet, and the state bird is
the northern cardinal.
The World's largest cookie and cracker factory is in Chicago, Nabisco. The Chicago River is
dyed green on St. Patrick's Day. The state snack of Illinois is popcorn. Chicago is known as
the "Candy Capital of the World". Home Alone 1, 2 and 3 were filmed in Chicago. Roller
skates, spray paint and pinball games were invented in Chicago.
Illinois's original state flag was designed in 1913 by Lucy Derwent (who had won a contest),
but was redesigned in 1970 by Mrs. Sanford Hutchinson. The flag's design is based upon the
state's seal, which was designed by Sharon Tyndale, Illinois' secretary of state, in 1868.
The flag has a white background, and much of the Illinois state seal is pictured in the center.
There is a bald eagle perched on a rock holding a red, white, and blue shield in its talons (the
stars are white on a blue background and the stripes are red and white). The shield has 13
stripes and 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies of the USA. The eagle is holding a
banner in its beak which reads "STATE," "SOVEREIGNTY," "NATIONAL," and
"UNION." The word sovereignty is upside down. The rock has the dates 1818 and 1868
written on it; 1818 refers to the year Illinois became a state and 1868 refers to the date the
state seal was redesigned.

Wisconsin
Wisconsin was the 30th state in the USA; it became a state on May 29, 1848. It is
abbreviated WI and its state capital is Madison. The name Wisconsin originated from a
Chippewa Indian word which means "grassy place". The largest city in Wisconsin is
Milwaukee. Milwaukee's Summerfest is the nation's largest music festival, with over 2,500
performers. Wisconsin is known as the Badger State. Back in Wisconsin's history, all the
way back to the 1800s, miners dug tunnels into hillsides as they searched for lead and then
lived in them during the winter months to keep warm. This reminded people of badgers and
Wisconsin became known as the badger state. In the years leading up to the Civil War,
Wisconsin was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, with many slaves passing
through the state on their way to freedom in Canada. Today, Wisconsin leads the nation in
dairy production and is known for the quality of its cheddar cheeseresidents even
sometimes refer to themselves as cheese heads. Wisconsin is the dairy capital of the
United States and is sometimes called "America's Dairy land." It has more dairy cows than
any other state (1,500,000), produces more milk than any other state -- and 15% of the entire
country's milk. Wisconsins major industries include dairy products such as milk, butter,
and cheese, farming which includes corn, machinery, paper manufacturing, beer, and
tourism. Its highest geographical point is Timms Hill which is 1,953 feet above sea level.
Wisconsins state animal is the Badger, state bird is the Robin and state insect is the Honey
bee. Milwaukee is home of Harley Davidson Motorcycles. The nation's first kindergarten
was established in Watertown in 1856. Its first students were local German-speaking
youngsters.
Wisconsin's official state flag was adopted in 1913. The flag has a deep blue background.
White letters spell out "WISCONSIN" and "1848," the year Wisconsin became a state. A
sailor with rope and a miner with an axe surround a yellow shield in the center of the flag.
The shield depicts an arm and hammer, a plow, a pick and shovel, and an anchor. These
represent Wisconsin's main industries: manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and shipping.
In the center of the shield is a blue ring with the words "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (which is
the motto of the U.S.A. and means "Out of Many, One" - this refers to the states of the
United States being united into one country). Inside the ring is a smaller shield with blue
top and red and white stripes on the bottom.
A badger (Wisconsin's state animal) and a white ribbon reading "FORWARD" are above
the shield. A cornucopia filled with food and a stack of lead ore are under the shield.

Missouri
Missouri was the 24th state in the USA; it became a state on August 10, 1821. It is
abbreviated MO and its state capital is Jefferson City. Missouri was named for an
Algonquian Indian word that means "river of the big canoes." This state is nicknamed the
Show Me State.
The nickname for Missouri is The Show Me State. There are several stories concerning the
origin of the "show me" slogan. The most widely known story gives credit to Missouri's
U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver for coining the phrase in 1899. During a
speech in Philadelphia, he said: "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and
cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am
from Missouri. You have got to show me." Missouris state animal is the Missouri Mule.
The Mule was used to pull pioneer wagons to the west in the 1800s. It is known for being a
strong animal. For many years, Missouri was the state that raised the most mules.
Missouris state flower is the White Hawthorn Blossom. These flowers are white and grow
in bunches on hawthorn trees. Missouris major products include soybeans, dairy products,
hay, corn, poultry, sorghum, eggs, hogs, and cattle. Soybeans bring in the most cash for
Missourians as a crop. Also, at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, the ice cream cone was
invented. An ice cream vendor ran out of cups and asked a waffle vendor to help by rolling
up waffles to hold ice cream. The tallest man in documented medical history was Robert
Pershing Wadlow from St. Louis. He was 8 feet, 11.1 inches tall. In 1865 Missouri became the
first slave state to free its slaves.
The flag has a red, white, and blue background (representing Missouri's French heritage; it
was part of the Louisiana Purchase from France). The circular center is surrounded by 24
white stars (the number of states when Missouri entered the Union). Two grizzly bears
represent bravery and strength. A knight's helmet and another 24 stars are above the bears.
The motto, "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL" is around the inner circle.
The motto, "SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX ESTA" (meaning "Let the welfare of the
people be the supreme law") is on a yellow ribbon under the bears. The inner circle has an
eagle holding the olive branch of peace and the arrows of war (representing the federal
government), a crescent moon, and another grizzly bear. The Roman numeral MDCCCXX
is under the two bears (1820 was the date of the Missouri Compromise).

Iowa
Iowa was the 29th state in the USA; it became a state on December 28, 1846. It is
abbreviated IA and its state capital is Des Moines. Iowas major industries include
agriculture such as, corn, soybeans, hogs, and pigs. They are also famous for their food
manufacturing and insurance. Iowa is the nation's third most productive agricultural state,
following only California and Texas in the value of its yearly farm output. Iowa produces
1/10 of our nation's food supply! It is the number one producer of corn and soybeans. French
explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were the first Europeans to visit Iowa in 1673.
Iowa was included in the Louisiana Purchase and came under U.S. control in 1803. As a
Midwestern state, Iowa forms a bridge between the forests of the east and the grasslands of
the high prairie plains to the west. Its gently rolling landscape rises slowly as it extends
westward from the Mississippi River, which forms its entire eastern border.
Iowas nickname is the Hawkeye State. Iowa is the only state name that starts with two
vowels. Iowa has historically placed a strong emphasis on education. In 2003, Iowa had the
second highest average SAT scores by state, and tied for second highest average ACT
scores. Iowas state flower is the wild rose and the state bird is the Eastern Goldfinch. Its
major waterways include Mississippi River, Spirit Kale, West Okoboji Lake, and East
Okoboji Lake.
Herbert Clark Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa on August 10, 1874. He was the 31st
President of the United States serving from 1929 to 1933.
Iowa's official flag was adopted in 1921. The flag was designed by Mrs. Dixie Gebhardt, of
The Daughters of the American Revolution of Iowa.
The flag has a red, white and blue background, like the French flag; this symbolizes the fact
that Iowa became a part of the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase (this area had
been part of France, but was sold to the USA in 1803). On the white central portion of the
flag, a bald eagle holds a flowing ribbon that reads, "OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND
OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN."

Minnesota
Minnesota was the 32nd state in the USA; it became a state on May 11, 1858. It is abbreviated
MN and its state capital is St. Paul. Minnesota was discovered by French explorers and
trappers. It was claimed for France in 1679. Eastern Minnesota was acquired from Britain
after the Revolutionary War. The western portion was purchased from Napoleon (France)
in 1803 as part of the "Louisiana Purchase." The name Minnesota originates from a Native
Indian (Dakota Sioux) word that describes the Minnesota River cloudy water. The
Minnesota state nickname is "The North Star State" which drives from the State Motto.
The State Motto is "L'Etoile du nord" the State Motto is written in French, translated it
reads "The Star of the North".
The State has 90,000 miles of shoreline, which is greater than the shorelines of California,
Florida and Hawaii combined together! Minnesotas agriculture products include sugar
beets, sweet corn, green peas, turkeys, and forestry. Major waterways include Minnesota
River, Mississippi River, Rainy River, Red River of the North,
St. Croix River and Lake Superior. The Minneapolis Skyway System is an interlinked
collection of enclosed pedestrian footbridges that connects various buildings in Downtown
Minneapolis enabling people to walk in a climate-controlled environment. The system
forms a network of climate-controlled, pedestrian walkways that link sixty-nine full city
blocks over eleven miles. The skyway system in Minneapolis allows people to live, eat,
work and shop in nearly five miles without ever going outside. Minnesota is home to:
Green Giant vegetables, Greyhound Lines (the first bus line), and Tonka Trucks.
Minnesota inventions: the snowmobile, the first water skis, the first automatic pop-up
toaster, the first canned ham and spam, masking and scotch tape, the stapler, Wheaties,
Bisquick, the bundt pan, HMOs. The state insect is a Monarch Butterfly. The highest
geographical point is Eagle Mountain which is 2,301 feet (701 m) above sea levels.
Minnesota's official flag was adopted in 1893. The flag has a blue background. The central
seal pictures a farmer plowing a field and an Indian riding a horse toward the sun. The
scene is surrounded by lady slippers, Minnesota's state flower. A red banner with yellow
letters has the state motto, "L'ETOILE DU NORD," meaning "the star of the north" in
French. Three dates are on the flag: 1858 (at the top), the year Minnesota became a state; 1819
(at the left), the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893 (at the right), the year this flag
was adopted. Nineteen yellow stars surround the seal on a white band; these stars symbolize
that fact Minnesota was the 19th state to enter the union after the first 13. "MINNESOTA"
is written in red on the white band.

Nebraska
Nebraska was the 37th state in the USA; it became a state on March 1, 1867. It is abbreviated
NE and its state capital is called Lincoln. Nebraskas major agriculture industries include
corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, and pigs and other industries include food processing,
meatpacking, freight transportation, insurance, and machinery. Nebraska comes from the
name the Oto Indians gave to the Platte River. It means flat water. Nebraska is nicknamed
the cornhusker state. The state animal is the white-tailed deer. The 911 system of emergency
communications, now used nationwide, was developed and first used in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Four historical trails crossed Nebraska including the Oregon, Lewis and Clark, Mormon,
and Pony Express. Nebraska has more miles of river than any other state.
Major waterways in Nebraska are the Platt River, Nebraska, River, Niobrara River, and the
Republican River. Twice-yearly migrations of millions of cranes, ducks and geese turn the
Platte River area into an amazing sight. The world's largest wholly mammoth fossil was
found in Lincoln County. Nebraska has more underground water reserves than any other
state in the continental U.S. Nebraska, mistakenly called the "Great American Desert" by
European Explorers, and is one of the top farming areas in the world.
Nebraskas highest geographical point is Panorama Point - 5,426 feet (1,654 m) above sea
level. Some famous people from Nebraska are Gerald Ford who was the 38th president of the
United States, Nicholas Sparks who is an author and mostly known the book and movie
The Notebook. Actress Hilary Swank and civil rights activist Malcolm X are also from
Nebraska. Kool-Aid was invented by Edward Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska.
Nebraska's official flag was adopted in 1925. The flag has a deep blue field with the state seal
in the center, pictured in gold (yellow) and silver. The state seal, designed in 1867 by Isaac
Wiles (a member of the House of Representatives), pictures a blacksmith hammering on an
anvil, a settler's cabin, sheaths of wheat, a steamboat on a river, and the transcontinental
railroad, with mountains in the background. The state motto, "Equality before the Law," is
on a banner above the landscape. The date of Nebraska's admission to the union, March 1,
1867, is listed below the seal.

South Dakota
South Dakota was the 40th state in the USA; it became a state on November 2,
1889. It is abbreviated SD and the state capital is Pierre. South Dakota is
nicknamed the Mt. Rushmore State. The Black Hills are the highest mountains
east of the Rockies. Mt. Rushmore, in this group, is famous for the carvings of
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt by Gutzon Borglum.
Jewel Cave (in the Black Hills) is the fourth largest cave in the world, with 57.4
miles of surveyed and mapped passages.
South Dakotas major industries include cattle, corn, soybeans, hogs, wheat,
meat packing, and ethanol products. South Dakota is also the leader in honey
production. The climate in South Dakota is a continental climate with four
distinct seasons ranging from very cold winters to hot summers. Its most
famous waterways include the Cheyenne River, Missouri River, White River,
and the James River. The largest buffalo herd in the U.S. lives at the Standing
Butte Ranch near Pierre. The coyote is the state animal of South Dakota. In
1900, a huge Prairie Dog settlement, 100 miles by 250 miles, was found
containing an estimated 400 million Prairie Dogs! South Dakota has one of the
largest Native American populations, with nine official tribes (approx. 60,000
people). The largest underground gold mine is the Homestake Mine in Lead.
Tours are available today telling of the area and the mine's rich history.
South Dakota's official flag was adopted in 1963. The flag is sky blue with state
seal in the center (surrounded by yellow rays are the words, "South Dakota" and
"The Mount Rushmore State"). South Dakota's state seal pictures a farmer
plowing a field, a river, forests, mountains, a steamboat, and the motto, "Under
God the People Rule."

North Dakota
North Dakota was the 39th state in the USA; it became a state on November 2, 1889. North
Dakotas abbreviation is ND and its state capital is Bismarck. Lewis and Clark explored the
region in 18041806, and the first settlements were made at Pembina in 1812 by Scottish and
Irish families while this area was still in dispute between the U.S. and Great Britain. North
Dakota is the most rural of all the states, with farms covering more than 90% of the land.
North Dakota ranks first in the nation's production of spring and durum wheat. Its major
industries include, Agriculture including barley, wheat, oats, corn, beans, sugar beets, and
oilseeds, mining of petroleum, natural gas, and coal, food processing, technology, farming
equipment, and bank. North Dakotas nickname is the Peace Garden State. The
International Peace Garden straddles the international Boundary between North Dakota
and the Canadian province of Manitoba. It honors the long friendship between the two
nations. This 2,300-acre garden plants 100,000 flowers annually and features a Peace Chapel
as well as an 18-foot floral clock. In 1956 the North Dakota Motor Vehicle Department
placed the words Peace Garden State on license plates; the name proved so popular that it
was formally adopted by the 1957 legislature.
Its major rivers include James River, Missouri River, and Red River and its major lakes are
the Lake Sakakawea, and Lake Ohe. The Dakota name comes from the name of the local
American Indians. It means 'friend' or 'ally'. People have tried to get the name changed to
just Dakota because they think the 'North' in the name makes the state sound too cold.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota is the only national park
named for a person. As president, Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in founding the
national park system. It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on in North
Dakota.
North Dakota is the only state in the nation to never have an earthquake. North Dakota's
official flag was adopted in 1911. The flag has a blue field and pictures a bald eagle holding a
red ribbon in its bill; the ribbon reads "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (this is the motto of the
U.S.A. and means "Out of Many, One" - and refers to the states of the United States being
united into one country). The eagle is holding seven arrows and an olive branch (with three
red berries) in its talons. The arrows represent the defense of liberty, and the olive branch
represents peace. The eagle has a red, white and blue shield on its body, with 13 stars (on a
blue field) and 13 red and white stripes (representing the USA). Above the eagle are 13
yellow stars (representing the original 13 colonies of the USA) and a yellow fan. Under the
eagle is a red scroll reading "NORTH DAKOTA."

Kansas
Kansas, situated on the American Great Plains, became the 34th state on January 29, 1861.
Kansas has long been known as part of Americas agricultural heartland. In 1803, the United
States purchased Kansas from France in the Louisiana Purchase. The US government
decided to let the people of Kansas vote for or against slavery. There were many fights
between these people, but eventually those against slavery won. Because of the great
violence during this time, Kansas became known as Bleeding Kansas. Kansas is also
known for its contributions to jazz music, barbecue and as the setting of L. Frank Baums
classic childrens book The Wizard of Oz. The capital of Kansas is Topeka and is known to
be the sunflower state. Sumner County, Kansas is known as The Wheat Capital of the
World. Kansas leads the nation in wheat production. At one time it was against the law to
serve ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas.
Pizza Hut restaurants opened its first store in Wichita, Kansas. Kansas is the nation's
second largest producer of beef cattle, behind only Texas. Kansas was the first state to ratify
the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which gave African-American men the right
to vote. The state abbreviation is KS and its major industries include agriculture (wheat and
other grains), aircraft manufacturing, and automobile manufacturing. Major rivers that run
through Kansas are the Kansas River, Republican River, Smoky Hill River, Arkansas River,
and Missouri River. Major Lakes include, Tuttle Creek Reservoir, Cheney Reservoir, and
Waconda Lake. The state animal of Kansas is a Buffalo. Last but not least, Kansas official
flag was adopted in 1927. The flag has a blue field, the word "KANSAS," the sunflower
(Kansas' state flower), and the state seal of Kansas. The seal pictures rich Kansas farmland,
a farmer plowing, covered wagons, Native Americans hunting bison, a rising sun, a
steamboat (representing commerce) on the water (beneath the sun and the mountains), 34
stars (since Kansas was the 34th state in the USA), and the state motto, "AD ASTRA PER
ASPERA," meaning "To the stars through difficulty," in Latin.