Travel Day -> LA, IN, MS, IL, AL

Continuing on our travels to each of the states in the order they entered the Union:
18. Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties. The largest parish by population is East Baton Rouge Parish, and the largest by land area is Cameron Parish.
Admission into statehood: April 30, 1812
Abbreviation: LA
Capital: Baton Rouge
Nickname: Because of the abundance of Brown Pelicans found along the coast of Louisiana, the state is commonly referred to as "The Pelican State."
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SLIDESHOW OF THE BAYOU

19. Indiana is located in the midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America. The state's name means "Land of the Indians," or simply "Indian Land."
Admission into statehood: December 11,1816
Abbreviation: IN
Capital: Indianapolis
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICTURES FROM THE NATIONAL PARK LOCATED ON THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN

20. Mississippi is located in the Southern United States. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi ("Great River"). The state is heavily forested outside of the Mississippi Delta area, which was cleared for cotton cultivation in the 19th century. Today, its catfish aquaculture farms produce the majority of farm-raised catfish consumed in the United States.
Admission into statehood: December 10, 1817
Abbreviation: MS
Capital: Jackson
Nickname: The Magnolia State: The most well-known nickname for Mississippi is "The Magnolia State." This nickname honors the stately beauty of the Magnolia Trees of Mississippi. The Magnolia is Mississippi's official State Tree and the blossom is Mississippi's official State Flower. "The Magnolia State" appears on the Mississippi 50 States commemorative quarter issued in October of 2002. CLICK HERE FOR MISSISSIPPI FUN FACTS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE NATCHEZ TRAIL PARK SERVICE

21. Illinois is often noted as a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal, timber, and petroleum in the south, Illinois has a broad economic base. Illinois is a major transportation hub. The Port of Chicago connects the state to other global ports from the Great Lakes, via the St. Lawrence Seaway, to the Atlantic Ocean; as well as the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, via the Illinois River.
Admission into statehood: December 3, 1818
Abbreviation: IL
Capital: Springfield
Nickname: The Prairie State. The North American prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems on earth. The grasslands of North America began to form about 20 million years ago, but in some areas up to 99 percent of the prairie has been destroyed (in just the last 125-150 years). Wildflowers are the jewels of public lands - tread lightly, take only photos and memories - do not pick flowers or dig up plants.
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CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF ILLINOIS RIVER ROAD

22. Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west.
Admission into statehood: December 14, 1819
Abbreviation: AL
Capital: Montgomery
Nickname: Alabama has been known as the “Yellowhammer State” since the Civil War. The yellowhammer nickname was applied to the Confederate soldiers from Alabama when a company of young cavalry soldiers from Huntsville, under the command of Rev. D.C. Kelly, arrived at Hopkinsville, KY, where Gen. Forrest's troops were stationed. The officers and men of the Huntsville company wore fine, new uniforms, whereas the soldiers who had long been on the battlefields were dressed in faded, worn uniforms. On the sleeves, collars and coattails of the new calvary troop were bits of brilliant yellow cloth. As the company rode past Company A , Will Arnett cried out in greeting "Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!" The greeting brought a roar of laughter from the men and from that moment the Huntsville soldiers were spoken of as the "yellowhammer company." The term quickly spread throughout the Confederate Army and all Alabama troops were referred to unofficially as the "Yellowhammers."
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CLICK HERE FOR FUN FACTS & TRIVIA ABOUT ALABAMA