1. ALABAMA

2. FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA Alabama state is named after the Alabama River, which in turn, was named after a native American tribe called “Alabama” that inhabited the region. On January 3, 1959, Alabama was the 22 nd admitted to the Union. As of 2014, the state had a population of just under 5 million (4.85 million). This ranks 23 rd in the US for total population. Alabama state constitution, with over 300,000 words, is the longest state constitution in the world. With over 775 amendments, it is also the most amended state constitution.

3. STATE SYMBOLS State Flag: State bird:Yellowhammer State Tree: Southem Pine State Flower: Camellia State Mammal: American Black Bear State Fish: Largemouth Bass State Insect: Monarch Butterfly

4. MAJOR ATTRACTIONS There are many interesting attractions in Alabama. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: Offers a look at the events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and continuing issues. The galleries feature permanent and temporary exhibits on a variety of related topics.. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: The star attraction of the Memorial Park in Mobile in the 1940’s USS Alabama Battleship docked along the waterfront. There are also a variety of aircraft, including a B-52 bomber and equipment from other war time periods. Mobile Bay : On the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay has a number of lovely beaches, small towns and historic sites to explore. Mobile Bay is home to the Dauphin Island bird sanctuary, an important park for bird migration. The Vulcan Statue: Birmingham, Alabama is also home to the largest cast iron statue. The Vulcan stands 56 feet tall and weights 120,000 pounds.

5. BRIEF GEOGRAPHY Alabama is bordered by Tennessee on the north, Georgia on the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico on the south and Mississippi on the west. There are 52,423 square miles in Alabama (ranking them 30 th among the 50 states). Highest point: Cheaha Mountain, 2407 feet above sea level. Lowest point: Sea levels where the state meets the Gulf of Mexico.

6. GOVERNOR Robert J. Bentley, Republican

7. THE ALABAMA STATE QUARTER FEATURING HELEN KELLER AND BRAILLE

8. ALABAMA LICENSE PLATE SWEET HOME ALABAMA

9. FAMOUS PEOPLE OF ALABAMA Willie Mays: Willie Howard Mays, was born in Westfield, Alabama. He was nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid”. He started his baseball career in the Negro League going on to play in the major league for 22 seasons in the MLB. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. He was a 2 time National League MVP. He was also a 12 time Gold Glove. He was an amazing baseball player in a time when black men were not popular in the MLB.

10. FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM ALABAMA Rosa Parks: Born Rosa Louise McCauley Parks on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama, Rosa was one of the most known African American Civil Rights Activists. On December 1, 1995, in Montgomery, AL, Parks refused to give up her seat in the colored section of the city bus to a white passenger once the white section was full. Parks’ act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement. She is considered by the U.S. Congress to be “the first lady of civil rights.”

11. FAMOUS PEOPLE OF ALABAMA Jesse Owens: Jesse was born in Oakville, Alabama on September 12, 1913. He was an American track and field athlete., specializing in sprints and long jump. He was a 4 time Olympic gold medalist and recognized in his lifetime as the greatest and most famous athletes in track and field. His achievement of setting 3 world records and tying another in less than an hour at the 1935 Big Ten track meet has been called the greatest 45 minutes in sports.