Podcast

Louisiana

 We now head south to the bootleg state of Louisiana. Louisiana, as you may all remember had the devastating hurricane named Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana is also known for its specialty "cajun" atmosphere. However, the original origin of Louisiana can go all the way back to the King of France, whom of which the state was named after (King Louis XIV). This is ironic because many Louisiana's use many French words still today. An example of this is the work bayou, a bayou can be defined as a French name for slow-moving "river."Why is an American state named after a French? It is said that Thomas Jefferson bought the land from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase, which they later gave respect and appreciation to King Louis XIV, 

the King of France at the time.  

Thomas Jefferson

King Louis XIV

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usaweb/snapshot/Louisiana.htm

Kentucky

We can now head east from Kansas to the state of Kentucky. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State." Kentucky is not known as the bluegrass state because it has bluegrass, it is because it produces the most bluegrass in the country. 

A very popular fast food chain that we are all familiar with was founded in Kentucky, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). KFC was founded by Colonel Sanders. He opened the first restaurant in Corbin, KY. The first KCF fast food chain started operating in 1930 and now sells billions of pieces of chicken and hopes to keep the success going. It's no mystery where this fast food joint was founded KENTUCKY Friend Chicken. 

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Kansas

We finally come to the Kansas, I have been eager to blog about this state. Home of the Washburn University Ichabod's and rolling plains filled with wheat fields. Kansas is the home of many things such as Kansas is known as the windiest state in the country, this is due to its flat surfaces. On a more impressive note, Kansas is the home of Amelia Earhart. In 1924 Earhart was the first woman in America that was granted a pilot license. Amelia was born in 1987 in Atchison, Kansas. Amelia was to be the first woman to fly all the way over the Atlantic Ocean which did not work out for her. Devastating enough, she ended up not making the journey and ended up missing. Amelia will be forever a "Kansas Great."

Below is a video about Amelia Earhart courtesy of biography.com.....(http://www.biography.com/people/amelia-earhart-9283280)

Iowa

As we stay in the midwest we stumble across the great state of Iowa. Iowa is known as a state for holding many records such as carrying the biggest strawberry ever recorded. Although, one record made it all the way to the famous book of "Ripley's Believe It, Or Not." Ripley's Believe It or Not has dubbed Burlington's Snake Alley the most crooked street in the world. Snake Alley was constructed in 1894 by a German landscaper named Charles Starker. Even though the street is only 275 feet long, it is known throughout the world as "The World's Crookedest Street In The World."

Learn More ( click )

Indiana

We now go to the neighboring state of the east, Indiana. Indiana is known for their rich basketball tradition. However, another sport may be argued as more traditions around this midwestern state. Indiana is also well known for their baseball. The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 4, 1871. The two teams that went at it were the Cleveland Forest Cities and Ft. Wayne Kekiongas. Baseball has changed in many different ways over the years, but one thing that has not changed is the way the game is played. Baseball is and always will be considered America's past time. More Info ( click )

Illinois

Illinois, a place that is mostly known for their big city that is not unfamiliar to anyone, Chicago. Although, there are many other things that the state of Illinois has to offer other than big cities. Illinois is also known as the home of the first McDonald's franchise. The very first McDonald's was created in 1955 in Des Pointe, IL by a man named Ray Kroc. Kroc is not the founder of the popular fast food joint, he is only the first to build one. Kroc bought McDonald's from two brothers named Dick and Mac McDonald for $2 million. McDonald's is the most famous fast food restaurant in the world and continues to serve and put smiles and satisfaction on their customers face. 

Illinois - McDonald's ( click ) 

Idaho

Town homes and buildings are built around these springs

We now make our way to the mountainy Idaho. Idaho may seem like a boring place but in fact it is a very beautiful place which is known for tons of interesting things including this. Idaho is famous for its hot springs. The most popular ones that are recognized through out the world are located in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. It is thought that these springs hold special minerals that can cure people of certain symptoms.Lava Hot Springs, ID is located along the Oregon Trail and is very popular to visitors of the state Idaho. 

Hawaii

We now venture over and cross the Pacific Ocean to talk about the island/state of Hawaii. Hawaii was the last state apart of the union to be added as a state. It was admitted on August 20th, 1959. They called it The Hawaii Admission Act and it was signed and passed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This made the land of Hawaii no longer a territory but a state within America. 

Georgia

We now go to the northern neighborhood of Florida, Georgia. Georgia is home to the famous soft drink  known as Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola began in 1886 by a pharmacist named Dr. John S. Pemberton. We all know about Coke obviously, but do we all know that its head quarters along with its museum is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is estimated that 1.6 billion servings of Coke are purchased each day (yes I said each) around the world! Coca-Cola is a multi billion dollar corporation and has no plan to slow down anytime soon, so we thank Georgia for this delicious soft drink that is so popular. 

Coca-Cola Website

http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/coca-colahistory.htm

Florida

We now bring ourselves down to the "Sunshine State" on the Southeastern coast, Florida! Florida is home to many things; its fresh clear waters, numerous gold courses, and great weather. Florida is also home to the sports drink "Gatorade". Gatorade was founded in 1965 by four researchers at Florida University. The origin of the name is quite simple, they named their product Gatorade because "Gator" is the name of the Florida Universities mascot. The "ade" part is because the drink would aid Florida athletes. Gatorade has become a crucial part of all sports, it can be found on the sidelines, in the locker rooms and on almost every field and court.

G A T O R A D E (click) 

http://www.caryinstitute.org/sites/default/files/public/downloads/lesson-plans/The_Gatorade_Company_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Delaware

Our next stop is also part of the New England district, Delaware! Delaware is the second smallest state in the country. Delaware is known for many things even with its small size. Delaware is home to the oldest church that still stands in the United States. Old Swedes (Holy Trinity Church) is one of the oldest churches in America still in use. It was built in 1698. To give you a perspective of how old this is, the first lighthouses were just saarting to be built around this time. The church is located at 606 Church Street in Wilmington, Delaware.

Learn More... (click)

Connecticut

Connecticut is a small state that borders Rhode Island and is apart of the New England district. Connecticut is notorious for many things. for instance, it is the home of the very first color television. Although, that is not the only for of media that the state is known for. They are also famous for having the oldest, and still operating newspaper. Connecticut is home to the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published (The Hartford Courant). It was established in 1764. The Hartford Courant was founded by a man by the name of Thomas Green, and if the word "courant" does not look familiar to you than that is fine; "courant" is a word that the newspaper used from the Dutch word meaning "English Newspapers". Time will only tell how much longer this great and historical newspaper will last.

http://www.50states.com/facts/conn.htm#.UIdfT46YA5c
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant

Colorado

We move east from California, as our next state 

alphabetically is Colorado. Colorado is well known for 

their rodeos. In fact, the world's first rodeo was held on 

July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail, CO. Deer Trail is 54 miles 

east of Denver which sits on a quite plain. The word 

"rodeo" came from the Spanish verb "rodear" meaning: to 

be surrounded. Rodeos are now held everywhere in front 

of large audiences nation wide.

                                                                       Deer Trail's 143rd anniversary of the 1st rodeo!

http://rodeo.about.com/od/faqs/f/faqrodeo.htm
http://www.deertrailcolorado.org/

California

California, as we all know is a very big state. There were many facts to choose from but I landed on one that has something to do with this course (Mass Media Bootcamp). In 1902, Henry Miles opened up the very first movie theatre in America. The theatre was located in Los Angeles, California. Admission was about 10 cents at the time. Miles made a huge leap in this day in age because before this there were only private showings of "silent films" that only last about fifteen minutes if the people were lucky. Henry Miles made a huge impact in the way we live today. 

The YouTube link above is a Sci-Fi film that was played in 
the theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

http://thisandthatandmoreofthesame.blogspot.com/2007/04/first-movie-theater-opens-in-1902.html

Arkansas

H.N. Wadsworth

1857 Toothbrush

The toothbrush is an everyday item that we use. This is why I decided to talk to you about it. The next state alphabetically is Arkansas. Arkansas is home to the toothbrush; the type of toothbrush that we know it as today. The toothbrush was invented by a man named H.N. Wadsworth in 1857. Although, he only invented the toothbrush that we use today and know of. The first form of toothbrush was founded in 300 B.C. This toothbrush was a twig that had brussels at the the end, they did not have toothpaste back then though. Anyways, Wadsworth named his newly invented toothbrush the "West's Miracle Toothbrush". 

(Sources)

http://linkrandom.blogspot.com/2011/04/fact-of-day-china-invented-tooth.html
http://www.barewalls.com/pv-409741_H-Wadsworth-Longfellow.html

Arizona

AZ State Flag

Copper

Morenci Mine

The next state in line I would like to talk about is Arizona, home of the Grand Canyon. When you think of Arizona you probably think of desert landscape of tons of scattered cacti; well here is something else to keep in mind when thinking about the state of Arizona. Did you know that more copper is mined in Arizona than in all of the other states... COMBINED! Arizona houses the Morenci Mine. This mine is the largest copper producer in all of North America. Copper is the main source of profit for Arizona. Most of the copper is found in places that are similar to the Grand Canyon. 

Alaska

Alaska is the only state in the United States where you can find the Aurora Borealis, or "northern lights". These lights can be seen 243 days out of the year in Fairbanks, Alaska. Northern lights are produced because electrically charged particles cause gases in the upper atmosphere to light up in the northern skies of Alaska.

Here is a video to give you a better perspective of what these amazing lights really look like.

Alabama

Alabama's highest point about sea level stands at 2,405 feet. It is a mountain that goes by the name Cheaha Mountain. The mountain is located a few miles north-west of the town Delta. The Cheaha Mountain is apart of the Talladega Mountains. 

Cheaha Mountain (click)

"Sneak Preview"

Tomorrow I will post about the first sate on our list. Alphabetically, the first state is Alabama. I still need to figure out a fact for Alabama along with all other 49 states. I'm hoping that Professor Cassell has received my email to let me know that everything is good to go! I'm excited to get this blog started and rolling!
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Ryne Dowling

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Hello,
My name is Ryne and my blog will include facts about the 50 states of the United State. Each week I will post an interesting fact about a state. I will do this alphabetically (A-Z). I plan on posting a video clip or a picture about the fact in each post.
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Ryne Dowling