Did You Know? The Maryland State House has been in legislative use since 1779, the longest in the U.S. The Susquehanna River pours 19 million gallons of water a minute into Chesapeake Bay. Kunta Kinte, the African ancestor described in Alex Haley's book, “Roots,” entered America at Annapolis. Chesapeake Bay
Did You Know? There more than 50 glaciers within the Anchorage municipality. Anchorage has more espresso stands, per capita, than any U.S. city. On a clear day, Mount McKinley can be seen from downtown. Anchorage, covering about 1,961 square miles, is the size of Delaware. Anchorage is as far west
Did You Know? In 1845, California Gov. Pio Pico sold the San Juan Capistrano Mission to a relative for $750; it was worth more than $54,000. About half the 28,000 people at Disneyland’s 1955 debut carried phony tickets. More than 10,000 windows were required to build the Crystal Cathedral. Sleeping
Did You Know? Albuquerque hosts America’s largest powwow, drawing around 150,000 spectators. Microsoft was founded in Albuquerque in 1975. The “Breaking Bad” TV series was shot in Albuquerque. During the U.S. Civil War, Albuquerque surrendered, briefly, to the South (1862). The famed Route 66 is Central Avenue in Albuquerque. Ballooning
Did You Know...? Yellowstone is the world’s oldest national park (1872) and America’s second largest. Cheyenne Frontier Days is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Wyoming was first to give women the right to vote (1869) and to elect a woman governor (1924). Wyoming has the smallest population of the 50
Did You Know...? Wisconsin produces 350-plus varieties of cheese, more than any other state. The Kickapoo River is called the world’s crookedest river. The state’s 1.3 million dairy cows supply milk for 42M people, butter for 68M, cheese for 86M. Liberace and Orson Welles were born in Wisconsin; Houdini spent
Did You Know...? The town of Mountain was formerly named Mole Hill. Mother’s Day was first celebrated in West Virginia (1908). Berkeley Springs, incorporated as Bath in 1776, was America’s first spa town. The Golden Delicious apple originated in West Virginia. When West Virginia was created, its founders intended to
Did You Know...? There is a town called George (yes, that’s George, Washington). Father’s Day was originated by Spokane’s Sonora Louise Smart Dodd (1910). Washington is the only state named for a U.S. president. The Concorde on view in Seattle broke a transcontinental speed record getting there. Seattle’s Pike Place
Did You Know...? One-third of all Civil War battles occurred in Virginia, for 122 in the state. All or part of eight other states were carved out of territory once claimed by Virginia. Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia. Mount Vernon’s displays include the key to the Bastille, a
Did You Know...? Vermont has the lowest percentage of urban residents of any U.S. state. The state is the nation’s largest producer of maple syrup. Montpelier has the lowest population of any state capital (7,855 in the last census, 2010). At Haskell Opera House, much of the audience sits in
