Have you ever taken a family vacation in Mississippi? If you haven’t, you don’t know what you are missing. This state is where Elvis’ birthplace is located, as well as a museum dedicated to all things Elvis. You can relax with the kids at Biloxi Beach or Gulfport Beach. And don’t forget about taking a Southern cooking class! There is so much more you can do in this state too. But today, I want to focus on a few fun facts about Mississippi. Let’s celebrate National Mississippi Day together.
Let’s Celebrate National Mississippi Day with Fun Facts
- Onward, Mississippi is the birthplace of the beloved teddy bear. This bear was invented to honor President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Mississippi might be known as the river of the same name. But it is also home to the Yazoo River.
- A few famous people who were born in Mississippi include Oprah Winfrey, Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, Tennessee Williams, Jim Henson, Jimmy Buffet, and BB King.
- There are more churches per capita in Mississippi than in any other state.
- This state has many nicknames. A few of them include The Magnolia State, The Bayou State, The Eagle State, and The Groundhog State.
- Mississippi is one of nine states that only has four letters in its name. It is also the longest one with eleven letters.
- There are forty National Historic Sites in the state. One of them is a rocket testing site.
- There are multiple islands off the mainland of Mississippi. Those islands include Ship Island, cat Island, Horn Island, and Round Island.
- There was once an Isle of Caprice off the coast of Mississippi, but it has since disappeared.
- Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
- Edward Adolf Barq, Sr. invented root beer in Biloxi in 1898.
- The first human lung transplant was performed by Dr. James Hardy at the University of Mississippi in 1963.
- According to Mississippi law, it is illegal to have more than one illegitimate child. If you do, you could be put in jail for up to one month.
- Over in Temperance, it is considered illegal not to put a diaper on your dog while taking them for a walk.
- Franklin Academy was the first public school in Mississippi. It opened in 1821 and is still open today.
- The state beverage of Mississippi is milk.
- The only cactus plantation in the world can be found in Mississippi.
These are some fun facts you should know as we all celebrate National Mississippi Day. There are many others, and you may discover them during a family vacation in Mississippi.
So, are you ready to book a family vacation in Mississippi?
If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.
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