Louisiana

Louisiana is the only state that uses the Napoleonic Code for laws. Louisiana is also the only state that has parishes instead of counties.

keesouth

Pennsylvania

Until WWI German was the most spoken language in PA. Papers were printed in it, schools were taught in it, it was spoken in homes and businesses. Then we soured on Germany and in a matter of years it was erased except for place names, last names, and the language of the Plain people.

tehmlem

Michigan

Michigan has the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States.

ChaseDonovan

Somehow...

...this doesn't surprise me.

New Jersey

New Jersey is home to the Pine Barrens, basically the cleansing apparatus for the entire Northeastern seaboard for the last few centuries. Interesting lore surrounding the New Jersey Devil living there too.

Kin2Monkey

They are also the setting for that one scene in "The Sopranos."

You know the one.

Idaho

The first instance of nuclear power producing electricity happened in Arco, Idaho.

A lab there created the world's first breeder reactor (EBR-1) and produced just enough electricity to power 4 lightbulbs.

Bonus, but probably less surprising, fact: Idaho hosts the national finals for competitive fiddling. The town of Weiser triples in population during the contest as over 7k people come through to compete, hang out, and jam.

Rhodehouse93

Minnesota

Minnesota was not a very populous state during the Civil War, but we sent hundreds of soldiers to fight, including the First Minnesota. The First Minnesota Regiment suffered 80% casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg, but for their sacrifice they won a Virginian Battle Flag as a trophy from the field.

CaptValentine

Florida

Miami is NOT the biggest city in Florida by population. It's actually Jacksonville (city proper). However, the Miami metropolis (Miami and its surrounding cities; Miami Beach, Hialeah, Hollywood, etc.) are much more populous than Jacksonville, which is why Miami really is a much "bigger" city than Jacksonville in the traditional sense (also more high rise buildings). The amount of people within the same amount of square miles around Miami vs Jacksonville is much higher in Miami, but the "city proper" of Miami is smaller.

TenantFace

Wisconsin

Wisconsin may be 2nd in volume of dairy products (the sheer size of California overwhelms) but we are #1 in cranberry production.

Also, our state animal and college mascot (the badger) derives from our early mining history, though mining is not much––if anything––in our economy.

steelgate601

Cranberries are incredible.

I could probably snack on them all day. I'd likely be in heaven if I paid the state a visit.

Maryland

Maryland has a state sport and it is jousting.

lawyerfish

Utah

Utah is home to the second highest population of Pacific Islanders, second only to Hawaii.

Flylo21

The country is vast!

Take a road trip sometime. You could drive and drive and drive and never see all of it. There's always more to see and do––we are lucky to live in a land as varied as this one.

Have some facts of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments section below!