Political profiles of the 50 states.
South Dakota became the 40th state on 2 November 1889. It is famous for famous its scenery: the Badlands, the Black Hills, and Mt. Rushmore. After General Custer's military found gold in the Black Hills in 1874, the western Gold Rush began, eventually extending to
California. Until 1889, North and South Dakota were one territory.
Created out of the Idaho Territory, Montana is known as "Big Sky Country", a reference to the vast eastern plains; the western horizon is marked by the Rocky Mountains. Montana became the 41st state on 8 November 1889. In 2007, it
ranked 44th in population.
California became the 31st state on 9 September 1850 and was admitted as a free state. California had become a US territory after Mexico surrendered the land under the Treaty of Guadalupe. In 1890, Congress established Yosemite National Park; John Muir helped form the Sierra Club, in part to protect it. The state nickname is The Golden State, a reference to the gold rush. Today, California has 5…
Kentucky is one of four Commonwealths (along with Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia) and was part of Virginia until 1792, when Thomas Jefferson was secretary of state. It was the 15th state admitted to the Union. Today the Commonwealth is known more for the Kentucky Derby and Mint Juleps than for its heritage of Jeffersonian-inspired small government.
Known for the Oregon trail and its fight with the federal government over right to die voter referenda, in 2004 Oregon captured national headlines when a county commissioner ordered clerks to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples. It was the 33rd state admitted to the Union on 14 February 1859.
Indiana became the 19th state in 1816. Prior to the prior to the Civil War, Indiana citizens help run the Underground Railroad for slaves fleeing the country. It is known as the Hoosier state. Each year at Memorial Day, the nation focuses on Indianopolis and the Indy500.
North Carolina is the 10th largest and was the 12th state to enter the union. North and South Carolina were one colony until 1729; the state seceeded on 20 May 1861. It is known as the Tarheel state because tar was an early source of commerce. North Carolina is one of the nation's fastest growing states: it grew 51% from 1980 to 2006 due, in part, to its Research Triangle Park.
Pennsylvania is one of the original 13 colonies; it hosted the Continental Congress in 1776 and the Constitutional Convention in 1787. On 12 December 1787, it became the second state to enter the union. Its nickname is the Keystone State; a keystone is the central stone in an arch that holds all others in place. Today Pennsylvania has 19 US Representatives. It is considered a swing state in Presi…
California became the 31st state on 9 September 1850 and was admitted as a free state. It is the largest state in America; its economy ranks sixth in the world. The state nickname is The Golden State, a reference to the gold rush. Today, California has 53 US Representatives. The state is usually left-of-center on cultural issues and is more secular than religious.
Perhaps known best for Las Vegas (gambling , quickie marriage and quickie divorce) or its side of the Grand Canyon or perhaps the ET highway, Nevada is a study in contrasts and political volatility. It was admitted into the union on 31 October (Halloween) 1864, even though it id not meet population requirements. Republicans thought they needed the extra electoral votes.
South Carolina, the Palmetto State, was one of the original 13 colonies, becoming part of the Union upon ratifing the Constitution on 23 May 1788. Until 1729, North and South Carolina were one colony. The Civil War began here, in 1861, with shots upon Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
Quick facts about Georgia, population, economics, geography
Quick facts about Texas, population, economics, geography
Alaska politics at a glance.
California politics at a glance.
Iowa politics at a glance.
Mississippi politics at a glance.
Montana politics at a glance.
New Jersey politics at a glance.
New Mexico politics at a glance.
South Dakota politics at a glance.
