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."

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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.

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