The State Nicknames Quiz

ANSWER: Fun Louisiana Fact: "The state has been governed under 10 different flags beginning in 1541 with Hernando de Soto's claim of the region for Spain. La Salle later claimed it for Bourbon France and over the years Louisiana was at one time or another subject to the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of Napoleon, the Lone Star flag of the Republic of West Florida and the fifteen stars and stripes of the United States. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Louisiana became an independent republic for six weeks before joining the Confederacy." [Source: Louisiana.gov] Fun Louisiana Fact: "The state has been governed under 10 different flags beginning in 1541 with Hernando de Soto's claim of the region for Spain. La Salle later claimed it for Bourbon France and over the years Louisiana was at one time or another subject to the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of Napoleon, the Lone Star flag of the Republic of West Florida and the fifteen stars and stripes of the United States. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Louisiana became an independent republic for six weeks before joining the Confederacy." [Source: Louisiana.gov]

ANSWER: Fun Mississippi Fact: "The name Mississippi roughly translated from Native American folklore means 'Father of Waters.' The translation comes from the Chippewa words 'mici zibi' meaning 'great river' or 'gathering in of all the waters' and the Algonquin word 'Messipi'." [Source: Mississippi.gov] Fun Mississippi Fact: "The name Mississippi roughly translated from Native American folklore means 'Father of Waters.' The translation comes from the Chippewa words 'mici zibi' meaning 'great river' or 'gathering in of all the waters' and the Algonquin word 'Messipi'." [Source: Mississippi.gov]

ANSWER: Fun Kansas Fact: Famous Kansans include Kirstie Alley, John Brown, Bob Dole, Amelia Earhart, Dwight Eisenhower, Don Johnson, Meriwether Lewis, Charles Lindbergh, Gale Sayers and Dean Smith. Fun Kansas Fact: Famous Kansans include Kirstie Alley, John Brown, Bob Dole, Amelia Earhart, Dwight Eisenhower, Don Johnson, Meriwether Lewis, Charles Lindbergh, Gale Sayers and Dean Smith.

ANSWER: Fun Washington Facts: "On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state to enter the Union. It is the only state in the Union that is named for a president. Washington was nicknamed 'The Evergreen State' by C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forests. The nickname has never been officially adopted. On April 17, 1979, the square dance became the official Washington state dance. When the pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, which means square in French. The pioneers liked the simpler term and so the square dance was born." [Source: wa.gov] Fun Washington Facts: "On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state to enter the Union. It is the only state in the Union that is named for a president. Washington was nicknamed 'The Evergreen State' by C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forests. The nickname has never been officially adopted. On April 17, 1979, the square dance became the official Washington state dance. When the pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, which means square in French. The pioneers liked the simpler term and so the square dance was born." [Source: wa.gov]

ANSWER: Fun Maryland Fact: "The nickname 'Free State' was created by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a State enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials." [Source: MD.gov] Fun Maryland Fact: "The nickname 'Free State' was created by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a State enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials." [Source: MD.gov]

ANSWER: Fun South Carolina Fact: Famous South Carolinians include Andrew Jackson, Jesse Jackson, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Joe Frazier, Dizzy Gillespie, Alex English, Larry Doby, Chubby Checker, James Brown, John C. Calhoun, Darius Rucker, William "The Refrigerator" Perry and Vanna White. Fun South Carolina Fact: Famous South Carolinians include Andrew Jackson, Jesse Jackson, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Joe Frazier, Dizzy Gillespie, Alex English, Larry Doby, Chubby Checker, James Brown, John C. Calhoun, Darius Rucker, William "The Refrigerator" Perry and Vanna White.

ANSWER: Fun Connecticut Fact: According to the book State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle (New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1941):

"The sobriquet, the Nutmeg State, is applied to Connecticut because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs. Sam Slick (Judge Halliburton) seems to be the originator of this story. Some claim that wooden nutmegs were actually sold, but they do not give either the time or the place."

Yankee peddlers from Connecticut sold nutmegs, and an alternative story is that:

"Unknowing buyers may have failed to grate nutmegs, thinking they had to be cracked like a walnut. Nutmegs are wood, and bounce when struck. If southern customers did not grate them, they may very well have accused the Yankees of selling useless 'wooden' nutmegs, unaware that they wear down to a pungent powder to season pies and breads." [Source: Connecticut State Library] Fun Connecticut Fact: According to the book State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols by George Earlie Shankle (New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1941):

"The sobriquet, the Nutmeg State, is applied to Connecticut because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs. Sam Slick (Judge Halliburton) seems to be the originator of this story. Some claim that wooden nutmegs were actually sold, but they do not give either the time or the place."

Yankee peddlers from Connecticut sold nutmegs, and an alternative story is that:

"Unknowing buyers may have failed to grate nutmegs, thinking they had to be cracked like a walnut. Nutmegs are wood, and bounce when struck. If southern customers did not grate them, they may very well have accused the Yankees of selling useless 'wooden' nutmegs, unaware that they wear down to a pungent powder to season pies and breads." [Source: Connecticut State Library]

ANSWER: Fun Iowa Fact: Famous Iowans include Johnny Carson (he didn't move to Nebraska until he was 8), Herbert Hoover, Glen Miller, John Wayne and Donna Reed. Fun Iowa Fact: Famous Iowans include Johnny Carson (he didn't move to Nebraska until he was 8), Herbert Hoover, Glen Miller, John Wayne and Donna Reed.

ANSWER: Fun New Jersey Facts: "There is no definitive explanation for New Jersey's nickname of 'The Garden State.' It is on our license plates as the result of L.1954, c. 221; NJSA 39:3-33.2. This legislation was passed over Governor Meyner's veto. His veto message to A545, dated August 2, 1954, says in part, 'My investigation discloses that there is no official recognition of the slogan 'Garden State' as an identification of the State of New Jersey.'" [Source: state.nj.us] Fun New Jersey Facts: "There is no definitive explanation for New Jersey's nickname of 'The Garden State.' It is on our license plates as the result of L.1954, c. 221; NJSA 39:3-33.2. This legislation was passed over Governor Meyner's veto. His veto message to A545, dated August 2, 1954, says in part, 'My investigation discloses that there is no official recognition of the slogan 'Garden State' as an identification of the State of New Jersey.'" [Source: state.nj.us]

ANSWER: Fun New Mexico Facts: The yucca flower is the official flower of New Mexico. The chapparal bird, commonly called roadrunner, is the official bird. The native New Mexico cutthroat trout is the official fish. The chile, the Spanish adaptation of the chilli, and the pinto bean, commonly known as the frijol, are the official vegetables. The blue grama grass, scientifically known as Bouteloua gracillis, is the official grass. The coelophysis is the official fossil. The bizcochito is the official cookie. And "Land of Enchantment" is the official nickname. [Source: state.nm.us] Fun New Mexico Facts: The yucca flower is the official flower of New Mexico. The chapparal bird, commonly called roadrunner, is the official bird. The native New Mexico cutthroat trout is the official fish. The chile, the Spanish adaptation of the chilli, and the pinto bean, commonly known as the frijol, are the official vegetables. The blue grama grass, scientifically known as Bouteloua gracillis, is the official grass. The coelophysis is the official fossil. The bizcochito is the official cookie. And "Land of Enchantment" is the official nickname. [Source: state.nm.us]

ANSWER: Fun Utah Fact: "The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utahans relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896." [Source: 50States.com] Fun Utah Fact: "The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utahans relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896." [Source: 50States.com]

ANSWER: Fun Maryland Fact: "The nickname 'Free State' was created by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a State enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials." [Source: MD.gov] Fun Maryland Fact: "The nickname 'Free State' was created by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a State enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials." [Source: MD.gov]