Tag Archives: states

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/30)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What is the name of the world’s largest island?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Admitted to the American Union on June 21, 1778, New Hampshire became its 9th state.

Here are a few quick facts about New Hampshire:

  • Capital City:  Concord
  • State Bird:  Purple finch
  • State Motto:  Live Free or Die

New Hampshire traces its history back to the original 13 English colonies.  Its namesake comes from the English county of Hampshire.

The state’s nickname is “Granite State.”  This relates to the numerous granite quarries in the state.  In 1776 at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the New Hampshire delegates were the first to sign below the signature of the Congress’ President John Hancock.

New Hampshire is home to over 1,400 acres of apple orchards.  It is no wonder that apple cider is the official beverage of the state.

The state’s geography features a most distinctive landscape.  Frequently called the White Mountain State, nearly one quarter of the state contains forested mountain ranges.  Because of its mountainous scenery, New Hampshire is often referred to as the Switzerland of America.

left:  purple finch.  right:  fall foliage from the white mountains.  (photographs courtesy of pinterest.)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Greenland (if you answered Australia, remember that it is considered a continent)

Trivia’s Facts and More (8/26)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

The peacock is an unusual bird with long, beautiful feathers.  It does not lay eggs.  So where do baby peacocks come from?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Granted statehood on March 4, 1791, Vermont became the first state admitted to the American Union following the original thirteen colonies.

Here are some interesting facts about Vermont, nicknamed the Green Mountain State:

  • Motto:  Freedom and Unity
  • Capital City:  Montpelier (smallest state capital in the U.S.)
  • State Bird:  Hermit Thrush
  • State Flower:  Red Clover

French explorer Samuel de Champlain inspired Vermont’s name with his words upon seeing the land that would later become Vermont.  He called it “les monts verts” which means the green mountains.  

Vermont was the birthplace of two American Presidents:  Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur.  Its constitution was the first in America to abolish slavery.

Vermont has been well-known for maple syrup and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.  Made famous in the film, “The Sound of Music,” the Von Trapp family would move from Austria to Vermont where they made a home in the town of Stowe. 

Left:  vermont’s capitol in montpelier.  right:  hermit thrush (state bird).  photographs courtesy of pinterest.

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

From eggs.  The peahen lays the eggs.  The peacock is the male.

Trivia’s Facts and More (7/8)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

A cowboy rides into town on Friday.  He stays five days, then rides out of town on Friday.  How can this be?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Minnesota offers a interesting diversity in its natural landscape of prairies, forests, and lakes.

Here are some interesting facts about America’s 32nd state:

  • Statehood:  May 11, 1958
  • State Bird:  Common Loon (also called Great Northern Diver)
  • Motto:  L”Etoile du Nord (The Star of the North)

Minnesota is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.  The river divides the largest urban area in the state.  Often referred to as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis is the most populated city, and St. Paul is the state capital.

Bloomington is a neighboring community just south of the Twin Cities.  The former site of Metropolitan Stadium (home of baseball’s Twins and football’s Vikings) now is the address of the Mall of America, which opened in 1992.  It remains the largest mall in the United States.

Often promoted as the  “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota’s nickname celebrates the over 90,000 miles of shoreline found in the state.  This is more miles than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined.  Anyone who is a NBA basketball fan has heard of the Los Angeles Lakers, which is one of its more successful franchises.  Interestingly, few lakes are found around Los Angeles, but it makes sense because the Lakers’ original home was in Minneapolis.

left:  common loon, state bird.  right:  state capitol building in st. paul.  (courtesy of pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

His horse named Friday.