Happy Belated Birthday, Alabama!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Alabama being admitted to our United States of America. Unfortunately, I was overwhelmed with work and Christmas related stuff and something I like to call "sleep" so I was unable to finish editing this post in time. I'm sorry, Alabama!! 
Date of Admittance:December 14, 1819
Parentage: The word "alibamu" is one of the tribes of the Creek Indian Confederacy. Which means that before the genteel Southern gentleman lived there, he had to clean out the "natives" because let's face it, you don't really think of Alabama as a bastion of Native Americans. 

Place in the Family 

Number 22

Alabama was the Darling of 1819, 

as it came one year after 

Illinois   (Dec 1818) and 

four months before Maine (March 1820)

Motto 

We Dare Defend Our Rights

Given the history of Alabama, this could sound a bit darker than it should. 

It was suggested in 1923 and officially recognized in 1939.

 

Nick-Name 

"Heart of Dixie"

Oh, so "Dixie" is in Alabama? I hadn't realized that. 

On the License Plate 

"The stars fell on Alabama...." was changed just recently. 

 

Now it says "Sweet Home Alabama" 

 

I dunno....I kind of like "The stars...." one!

State Flag 

A plain white banner with a big red X across it. 

(It's actually the cross of St. Andrews)

I don't think too much of this flag. It looks too negative! 

 

First City You Probably Think of 

When You Think "Alabama" 

Birmingham

Actual State Capital:Montgomery

State Size (Area) is 30th of 50
Population is closer to 23rd of 50

(per 2000 Census figures)

Alabama Sports: 
None!  

Anybody From Alabama
Ever Grow Up To Be President?
No y'all!

Good vs Evil 
(Civil Rights version)
Rosa Park
activist sat down for equal rights
 

George Wallace

Governor who stood for "segration forever"

Musical Alabamans

Nat "King" Cole

"Mona Lisa"

Hank Williams

"Jambalaya"


Eddie Kendricks & Paul Williams

from The Temptations

The Commodores

"Brick House"


Lionel Ritchie

"All Night Long"

 

Alabama

"Mountain Music" 

Sporty Alabamans

Satchel Paige

Hall of Fame Baseball Player

Bear Bryant

Hall of Fame College Football Coach


Hank Aaron

Hall of Fame Baseball Player

Ozzie Smith

Hall of Fame Baseball Player

Carl Lewis

9-time Olympic Gold Medalist

Charles Barkley

Hall of Fame Basketball Player
 
  

Evander Holyfield

World Heavyweight Champion

Bo Jackson

Professional Baseball AND Football Player

Other Well-Known Alabamans

Helen Keller

Icon for Disadvantaged People Everywhere

Harper Lee

author, To Kill A Mockingbird

Fanny Flagg

comedienne, author

Mae Jemison

Astronaut

 

Mark Waid

writer, "The Flash"

Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of State

 

Celebrities From Alabama 

Jim Nabors

actor, "Gomer Pyle USMC"

Wayne Rogers

actor, "MASH," "House Calls"

 
Kate Jackson

actress, "Charlie's Angels" 

Louise Fletcher

Academy Award winning actress

Courteney Cox

actress, "Friends," "Cougar Town"

  
Channing Tatum

Sexiest Man of 2012

 

A Song For You.... 
"Sweet Home Alabama" 
Written by Ed King, Gary Rossington, 
and Ronnie Van Zant
Sung by Lynard Skynard
(probably the most-famous song about a place
in current pop culture)