NATIONAL MISSOURI DAY

On January 4, National Missouri Day recognizes the 24th state to join the union.

Known as the gateway to the West and nicknamed the Show Me State, Missouri is bordered by two great rivers: Mississippi on its eastern border and Missouri River for a portion of its western border. As a result, Missouri is ideally located as a hub of transportation and trade.

Some of the largest companies based in the state include CernerExpress ScriptsMonsantoEmerson ElectricEdward JonesH&R BlockWells Fargo AdvisorsCentene Corporation, and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Well known universities in Missouri include the University of MissouriSt. Louis University, and Washington University in St. Louis.  Missouri has been called the “Mother of the West” and the “Cave State”, but its most famous nickname is the “Show Me State”.

Official Missouri

State Capital – Jefferson City
State Nickname – Show Me State
State Motto – Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto
State Bird – Eastern Bluebird
State Amphibian – American Bullfrog
State Flower – White Hawthorn Blossom
State Animal – Mule
State Folk Dance – Square Dance
State Musical Instrument – Fiddle
State Fish – Channel Catfish
State Reptile – Three Toed Box Turtle
State Dessert – Ice Cream Cone
State Fossil – Crinoid
State Mineral – Galena
State Tree – Flowering Dogwood
State Song – Missouri Waltz
State Gemstone – Beryl

Statehood came as part of the Missouri Compromise allowing Maine to enter the union as a free state and Missouri to enter with no restrictions on slavery. During the Civil War, Missouri was divided and sent men to fight for both the north and the south.

My dads side of the family came from here. I still have great relatives and friends there. Some just outside of St Louis, others in small towns like Joplin and Carthage. While a historic family home was sold it still stands with it’s corner stone, carriage drive, and other features from 1916. I was fortunate to visit and have fun before my stroke made that so difficult.

Duenwag, Missouri
I can remember my dad telling me about his time here as a little boy.  Located in Duenweg, Missouri.

The views around the state are spectacular. I visited Kansas City, Missouri, Branson, Lake of the Ozarks is breathtaking. St Louis, Springfield, Neosho, Joplin, Columbia, Carthage, part of historic Route 66, Moscow Mills, Jefferson City, and numerous others. It was so worth the trip just for the views. The extra time I spent with my family there was priceless.

Hidden Treasures

Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins – Camdenton

Grant’s Farm – St. Louis

Elephant Rocks State Park – Iron Township

National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum – Joplin

The state boasts many cultural attractions from riverboat cruises to music festivals and tours of the largest brewing company in the nation.  With a rich history and interesting people, Missouri became a stopping point for many migrating west. Some stayed, others moved on, some returned east.

Some of those names you might recognize. Daniel Boone, Laura Ingles Wilder, Kit Carson, William Clark, Walt Disney, Scott Joplin, and Joseph Pulitzer all made Missouri their home for a time.

Notable People

Mark Twain – Author – (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910)


Calamity Jane – Folk Hero – (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903)


John Pershing – Military Officer – (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948)



George Washington Carver – Botanist – (1860s – January 5, 1943)



Nellie Tayloe Ross – Governor – (November 29, 1876 – December 19, 1977)

Governor Lady: The Life and Times of Nellie Tayloe Ross
#NationalMissouriDay
Governor Lady: The Life and Times of Nellie Tayloe Ross


George Coleman Poage – Athlete/Educator (November 6, 1880 – April 11, 1962)

George Coleman Poage - Athlete/Educator#NationalMissouriDay
George Coleman Poage – Athlete/Educator


Harry S. Truman – President – (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972)



T.S. Eliot – Poet – (September 26, 1888 – January 4, 1965)

The Poems of T. S. Eliot Volume I: Collected and Uncollected Poems (Faber Poetry)#NationalMissouriDay
The Poems of T. S. Eliot Volume I: Collected and Uncollected Poems (Faber Poetry)

August Anheuser Busch Jr – Brewer – (March 28, 1899 – September 29, 1989)


Martha Gellhorn – Journalist – (November 8, 1908 – February 15, 1998)

Travels with Myself and Another: A Memoir
#NationalMissouriDay
Travels with Myself and Another: A Memoir

Dorothy Johnson Vaughan – Mathematician – (September 20, 1910 – November 10, 2008)



Maya Angelou – Poet – (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014)


Steven Chu – Physicist – (February 28, 1948 – )

Steven Chu - Physicist#NationalMissouriDay

Jack Dorsey – Entrepreneur – (November 19, 1976 -)


Titanic Museum Branson, Missouri
Be sure to check out some of the fun in Branson, Missouri!
The Titanic Grand staircase, Branson, Missouri.
Inside Titanic’s Grand staircase. Branson, Missouri with my mom and sister!

For a complete list of Missouri State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.mostateparks.com and www.nps.gov.  Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.

Gov. Daniel Dunklin’s Grave State Historic Site – Herculaneum

https://mostateparks.com/park/gov-daniel-dunklins-grave-state-historic-site

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site – Sedalia

Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Kaiser

Arrow Rock State Historic Site – Arrow Rock

Battle of Island Mountain – Butler

George Washington Carver National Monument – Diamond

Harry S Truman National Historic Site – Independence and Grandview

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

MUSEUMS

Missouri History Museum – St. Louis

Missouri State Museum – Jefferson City

National World War I Museum and Memorial – Kansas City

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – Kansas City

Missouri Civil War Museum – St. Louis

Pony Express Museum – Saint Joseph

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – Kansas City

Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum – Hannibal

Missouri Flavors

Beans & Ham Hocks on cornbread
Gooey butter cake
Fried Morel Mushrooms
Slinger
Provel
St Louis Pizza
Kansas City BBQ
Shoots
Concretes

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMissouriDay

Whether you’re passing through or planning to stay a while, join us as we recognize Missouri’s history and pioneering spirit. Uncover hidden treasures and explore all Missouri’s hills and valleys! Use #NationalMissouriDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL ALABAMA DAY

On December 14th, National Alabama Day recognizes the Heart of Dixie.

The 22nd state to join the union, Alabama has played pivotal roles in U.S. history, scientific advancements and its magnificent landscapes attract visitors from far and wide.

Alabama enjoys 60 miles of shoreline along the Gulf Coast. While the coastal region is dotted with swamps and bayous, it also includes beautiful sandy beaches. Move northward from the coast, and the lowlands provide the fertile soils of the Black Belt, land that long yielded productive cotton crops. The Northern half of the state is dominated by the forested hills and valleys of the Appalachians.

As the original capital of the Confederacy until May of 1861 during the American Civil War, the small town of Montgomery set the stage for the secessionist government. Nearly 100 years later, the Civil Rights Movement would find a home and erupt across the state marching its vision to the rest of the country.

Official Alabama

State Capital – Montgomey
State Nickname – The Yellowhammer State,
State Motto – We Dare Defend our Rights
State Bird – Northern Flicker
State Game Bird – Eastern Wild Turkey
State Amphibian – Red Hills Salamander
State Flower – Camellia
State Fish – Large Mouth Bass
State Crustacean – Brown Shrimp
State Fruit – Peach
State Fossil – Basilosaurus cetoides
State Mineral – Hematite
State Tree – Southern Longleaf Pine
State Song – Alabama
State Quilt – Pine Burr Quilt

Agriculture, Military and Meat & Three

Bringing diversity to agriculture at a time when the boll weevil was wreaking havoc on cotton crops, George Washington Carver provided the opportunity for successful planting and harvesting of a legume that continues to be popular not only in the south but across the United States. The peanut brought new farming methods and agricultural stability to a suffering southern industry.

Home of the Tuskegee Airmen, the 332nd Fighter Group, the first African American military aviators, the science team that helped put man on the moon, and the first African American woman in space, Alabama is another state that keeps looking to the sky.

In Alabama, and all across Southern states, the meat and three will fill you up with more satisfying comfort food than you can find anywhere other than your mother’s kitchen. The restaurant style includes a mouth-watering homemade meat of your choosing – crispy fried chicken, juicy sweet ham or tender roast beef – and then a selection of three sides. A roll and dessert are usually included as well. All this is served in a relaxed, downhome atmosphere.

Alabama Flavor

Fried Catfish
Shrimp
Grits
Boiled Peanuts
Fried Okra
Fried Pickles
Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy
Peach Cobbler
Pecan Pie
Banana Pudding

For a complete list of Illinois State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.alapark.com and www.nps.gov.  Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.

Birmingham Civil Rights

Muscle Shoals

Selma to Montgomery

Buck’s Pocket State Park – Grove Oak
Cathedral Caverns State Park – Woodville
Chewacla State Park – Auburn
Gulf State Park – Gulf Shores
Lake Guntersville State Park – Guntersville
Monte Sano State Park – Huntsville

MUSEUMS

Old Alabama Town – Montgomery
Alabama Museum of Natural History – Tuscaloosa
Moundville Archaeological Site – Moundville
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – Birmingham
Museum of Alabama – Montgomery
The Hank Williams Museum – Montgomery
GulfQuest Maritime Museum – Mobile
Rosa Parks Museum – Montgomery
Southern Museum of Flight – Birmingham
Fort Conde – Mobile
U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Huntsville
Pioneer Museum of Alabama – Troy
Fort Gaines – Dauphin Island

Hidden Treasures

F.Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum – Montgomery


Never Sink Preserve – Fackler

Alabama Booksmith – Homewood

Tinglewood Carvings – Montevallo

Hodges Meteorite Landing Site – Oak Grove

USS Alabama Battleship Park – Mobile

Famous People

William Weatherford – Creek Chief – (1781 – March 24, 1824)

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Helen Keller – Author/Activist – (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968)

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Lafayette Guild – Surgeon – (November 25, 1825 – July 4, 1870)

Lafayette Guild
Lafayette Guild



Alva Belmont – Philanthropist/Activist – (January 17, 1853 – January 26, 1933)

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Luther Duncan – Educator – (October 14, 1875 – July 26, 1947)


Luther Duncan
Luther Duncan


Rosa Parks – Activist – (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005)

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Jesse Owens – Track and Field Athlete – (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980)

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Joe Louis – Pugilist – (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981)

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Harper Lee – Author – (April 28, 1926 – February 19, 2016)

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Jim Nabors – Actor/Comedian – (June 12, 1930 – November 30 , 2017)

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Hank Williams – Singer/Songwriter/Musician/ – (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953)

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Condoleezza Rice – Secretary of State – (November 14, 1954 -)

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Ozzie Smith – Baseball Player – (December 26, 1954)

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Mae Jemison – Engineer/Astronaut -(October 17, 1956 -)

Mae Jemison
Mae Jemison


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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAlabamaDay

Explore Alabama’s rich history and remarkable landscapes. Get to know their people, culture and uncover the hidden places of Alabama! Use #NationalAlabamaDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL ILLINOIS DAY

On December 7th, National Illinois Day recognizes the Land of Lincoln, home to the Windy City, and fertile prairies.

As the 21st state to join the United States, Illinois’s distinct political, industrial, agricultural and population densities create an intriguing contrast to other states.

When farmers began to settle on the Illinois prairie, they found the thick soil challenging to sow. One Vermont blacksmith made the work easier with the invention of the steel plow that cut sod more efficiently than previous tools. John Deere plow was born.

Railroads and shipping lines grew with farms in the rich prairies as settlers spread across the state. Chicago’s proximity to Lake Michigan has made it a major hub for transportation of goods across the country.

With the invention of the combustion engine, more reliable public highways became a national goal. U.S. Route 66 would become the iconic ribbon from Chicago to Los Angeles. Officially established in 1926, portions of the route were created from already existing roads.

Illinois completed the first leg of Route 66 during an era when Prohibition was in full swing. A paved roadway gave illegal transportation of spirits a bootleg up and the state a reputation that has become legendary for this era.

While Ronald Reagan was the only president born in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama all called Illinois home.

Traveling around the state, we will glimpse the wonders of nature or the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.  From tours of his architecture in Oak Park to Starved Park State Park and Horseshoe Mound, Illinois offers urban and outdoor enjoyment.

Official Illinois

State Capital – Springfield
State Nickname – The Prairie State
State Motto – Virtute et armis
State Bird – Northern Cardinal
State Amphibian – Eastern Tiger Salamander
State Flower – Violet
State Animal – White tailed deer
State Fish – Bluegill
State Pie – Pumpkin pie
State Fossil – Tully Monster
State Mineral – Fluorite
State Tree – White Oak
State Song – Illinois
State Artifact – Pirogue

Art and History

For a complete list of Illinois State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.dnr.illinois.gov and www.nps.gov.  Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.

Lewis & Clark

Mormon Pioneer

Pullman

Mississippi Palisades State Park – Savanna

Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail – Northwestern Illinois

Weldon Springs State Park – Clinton

Illinois Caverns – Waterloo

Nauvoo

Cave-in-Rock State Park

Trail of Tears State Forest – Jonesboro

MUSEUMS

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site – Lincoln

Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site – Petersburg

Wood River Camp Dubois – Wood River

Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument – Alton

Original Historic Route 66 Brick Road – Auburn

Blackhawk War Monument – Kent

Illinois State Museum – Springfield

Field Museum of Natural History – Chicago

Adler Planetarium – Chicago

Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center – Skokie

McLean County Museum History – Bloomington

Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum – Pontiac

Morton Arboretum – Lisle

Hidden Treasures

The Awaking Muse – Schaumburg
Gold Pyramid – Wadsworth
Rockmen Guardians – Rockford
Popeye Character Trail – Chester
Gemini Giant – Wilmington

The Flavor of Illinois

Italian Beef Sandwhiches
Horseshoes
Pierogi
Poutine
Gyros
Donuts
Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago style Hot dog
Corn on the cob
Chicago style Popcorn

Famous People

Black Hawk – Sauk Indian Chief – (1767 – October 3, 1838)

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Louise DeKoven Bowen – Suffragist – ( February 26, 1859 – November 9, 1953)

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Mary Curzon – Baroness – (May 27, 1870 – July 18, 1906)

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Marion Mahony Griffin – Architect – (February 14, 1871 – August 10, 1961)

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Walt Disney – Entrepreneur -(December 5, 1901 – December 5 1966)

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Ronald Reagan – President – (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)

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Burt Baskin – Entrepreneur – (December 17, 1913 – December 24, 1967)

Burt Baskin
Co founder Baskin Robbins

Martin Cooper – Inventor – (December 26, 1928 – )

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Lorraine Hansberry – Playwright – (May 19, 1930 – January 12, 1965)

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Michelle Obama – First Lady – (January 17, 1964 -)

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Jane Addams (1860-1935)

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalIllinoisDay

Discover and recognize Illinois’ history and pioneering spirit. Uncover hidden treasures and explore all Illinois highways and byways! Use #NationalIllinoisDay to share on social media.

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NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY

On November 9, National Louisiana Day recognizes the state that brought us such treasures as Jazz, Creole and American Mardi Gras.

Throughout the history of the state, the blending of race and culture have resulted in the Delta’s own unique flair that brings visitors from around the world seeking to taste their food, hear their music and see their style.

When French explorers first arrived, several diverse tribes populated the area. Many of their population were decimated by disease and war. Natchez, Choctaw or Chitimacha descendants still survive today.

In 1803, Louisiana became territory when the United States completed negotiations with France for the 828,000 mile Louisiana Purchase. The first of 15 states to be carved out of the region, Louisianna entered the United States in 1812.

Official state Symbols

State Capital – Baton Rouge
State Nickname – Pelican State
State Motto – “Union, justice and confidence”
State Bird – Brown Pelican
State Flower – Magnolia
State Fish – White Perch
State Fruit – Strawberry
State Beverage – Milk
State Fossil – Petrified palmwood
State Mineral – Agate
State Tree – Bald Cypress
State Song – “You Are My Sunshine” and “Give Me Louisiana”
State Gemstone – Crassostrea virginica
State Insect – Honeybee

Within its mysterious gulf, Louisiana holds the secrets of pirates, conflicts of slavery and the paths of progress.  The bayou teems with life and stories untold.

Louisiana epitomizes the phrase “melting pot” probably more than any other state. Throughout the history of the state, Native American, French, Spanish, German, African, Irish and Caribean cultures have blended in a variety of ways creating a diverse and distinct culture in the bayou. From the food to the language, the music and history, Cajun (French Canadian or Acadian), Creole (European, African, Caribbean or Spanish mixed ancestry) and even the landscape impact the enchantment that is Louisiana.

You can even take an authentic Paddle Wheel dinner cruise up the mighty Mississippi. Grab a trolley ride through the historic district, and of course the Super dome home of the New Orleans Saints. Further out are preserved Plantations that bring home the history, of that era.

For a complete list of Louisiana State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.crt.state.la.us and www.nps.gov.  Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below. 

Cane River Creole – Natchez

Jean Lafitte – New Orleans

New Orleans Jazz – New Orleans

Chicot State Park – Ville Platte

Lake Bistineau State Park – Doyline

Palmetto Island State Park – Abbeville

Poverty Point Reservoir State Park – Delhi

Audubon State Historic Site – St. Francisville

Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site – Natchitoches

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site – St. Martinville

Winter Quarters State Historic Site – Newellton

MUSEUMS

Louisiana Art & Science Museum – Baton Roug

The National World War II Museum – New Orleans

The New Orleans Jazz Museum – New Orleans

Delta Music Museum – Ferriday

Old Louisiana State Capitol – Baton Rouge

LSU Rural Life Museum – East Baton Rouge Parish

Southern Food and Beverage Museum – New Orleans

River Road African American Museum – Donaldsonville

Nottoway Plantation House – White Castel

Mardi Gras Museum – New Orleans

Ogden Museum of Southern Art – New Orleans

Jungle Gardens – Avery Island

Lousiana Flavor

Crawfish
Bread Pudding
Red Beans and Rice
Muffuletta
Gumbo
Jambalaya
Shrimp & Grits
King Cake
Beignets
Boudin Sausage


We spent our honeymoon in New Orleans and we just loved it. History, culture, music, and since it was March we even got a taste of Mardi Gras with a parade. Sip a classic Hurricane with your red beans and rice before exploring Preservation Hall, The Vodoo Museum, and the sights, sounds, and yes smells, of Bourbon Street.


Notable People

Alice Heine – Princess – (February 10, 1858 – December 22, 1925)

Alice Heine - Princess
#NationalLouisianaDay

Sarah Breedlove – Entrepreneur – (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919)

Sarah Breedlove Walker: Pioneer American Businesswoman (Titans of Fortune)#NationalLouisianaDay
Sarah Breedlove Walker: Pioneer American Businesswoman (Titans of Fortune)

Edith Loeber Ballard – Physician – (August 8, 1875 – December 23, 1948)

Edith Loeber Ballard - Physician
Edith Loeber Ballard – Physician

Buddy Bolden – Musician – (September 6, 1877 – November 4, 1931)


Louis Armstrong – Musician – (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971)


Truman Capote – Author – (September 30, 1924 – August 25, 1984)


Ella Brennan – Restaurateur – (November 27, 1925 -)


Fats Domino – Musician & Singer/Songwriter – (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017)


Jerry Lee Lewis – Singer/Songwriter – (September 29, 1935 – )


Paul Prudhomme – Chef – (July 13, 1940 – October 8, 2015)


Richard Simmons – Businessman/Comedian – (July 12, 1948 – )


Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLouisianaDay

Take a ghost tour of the raised cemetery and visit the grave of Marie Laveau. Enjoy the beauty of Jaskson Sqaure and its spires Church. Catch a horse draw carriage tour, just for two or join a group. Jax Brewery has divine pralines, and soak up the authentic Jazz music. Finish or start with famous Cafe Du Monde, Chicory coffee and some Beignets.

On November 9, we celebrate Louisiana’s treasures and mysteries. Uncover hidden the hidden gulf coast and find all the adventures Louisiana has to offer! Use #NationalLouisianaDay to share on social media.