Texas, The Lone Star State
By Sandra Merville Hart The nickname for Texas is the Lone Star State. The state flag has a single star on it, which is said to symbolize that Texas struggled for independence from Mexico alone. The Caddo were one of the Native American tribes living in Texas before the Europeans came. The Caddo word taysha for “friend” originated the name for Texas. The early history of Texas The Spanish built missions and forts in what is now Texas. The area was part of Mexico in the early 1800s. After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, settlers in Texas wanted their freedom as well. In 1835, about 200 Texans seized a mission named the Alamo, a chapel in San Antonio. They defended it from Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his much larger army for...
Read MoreWisconsin, The Badger State
by Sandra Merville Hart Wisconsin’s nickname is the Badger State. Lead miners slept in the 1800s. The miners were called badgers after the animal, eventually giving the state its nickname. The way Wisconsin got is its name is from a river. What is now known as the Wisconsin River was misspelled several times by the French from the Marquette word for Meskousing. It was also written as Miskous and Miskonsing—and later, Ouisconsing, which is how the local tribes pronounced the river’s name. When the 1825 lead mining rush brought folks to the territory, the pronunciation evolved to Wisconsin. The early history of Wisconsin Potawatomi, Menominee, Ojibwa, and Winnebago were tribes in Wisconsin early in its history. In the 1630s, French explorer Jean Nicolet came...
Read MoreWyoming, The Equality State
by Sandra Merville Hart Wyoming’s nickname is the Equality State because women were first given the right to vote there. Wyoming’s name comes from an Algonquian word mecheweamiing. It means “on the great plain” or “at the big flats.” The early history of Wyoming Cheyenne, Crow, and Arapahoe are among the Native Americans who lived in Wyoming before American settlers ventured west. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase made most of Wyoming a part of the United States. After this, trading posts—like Ft. Laramie and Ft. Bridger—were set up by fur traders and trappers. Many pioneers traveled west on the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail in the 1800s. Most chose not to build homes there because of the mountains and dry plains. Women given...
Read MoreWest Virginia, The Mountain State
by Sandra Merville Hart West Virginia’s nickname is the Mountain State for all its beautiful, mountains. West Virginians voted against seceding from the Union when the Civil War started in 1861. Virginia seceded. Citizens in the western part of the state decided to part with Virginia. On December 3, 1861, delegates from the western side met at a constitutional convention and agreed to remain with the Union. They argued over their new state’s name. Should it be Allegheny, Kanawha, or West Virginia? They decided on West Virginia. The early history of West Virginia People living in the eastern portion of Virginia tended to be wealthier. Many owned plantations where slaves worked. Folks in the western side lived in the mountains with mostly small farms. Some owned...
Read MoreVirginia, Our First Colony
by Sandra Merville Hart Virginia’s nickname, Old Dominion, was given by King Charles II when Virginia was still a colony in praise of their loyalty to the Crown. Early Virginia history Over 100 colonists from England built Jamestown, our first permanent settlement, in 1607, so our American history began over 400 years ago. The area became known as the Virginia Colony. First hard winter The colonists arrived in America in April. By September, the food they brought with them ran out. About half of the people died from sickness. Native American tribes living in the area helped the starving settlers by bringing gifts of food. In January of 1608, fire broke out, burning precious supplies. It destroyed the kitchen, the church, and the storehouse. Only three homes...
Read MoreTennessee, The Volunteer State
By Sandra Merville Hart Tennessee’s nickname is the Volunteer State. Tennesseans earned this name when its soldiers volunteered to serve in the War of 1812 with General Andrew Jackson and fought bravely at the Battle of New Orleans. In 1567, a Spanish explorer visited Tanasqui, an Indian village. About 200 years later, Cherokee villages of Tanasqui and Tanase were near a river that folks began to call the Tennessee River. The original meaning of these Native American words is not known. The early history of Tennessee … or Franklin? After the Revolutionary War ended, the state of North Carolina gave the United States Congress control of its land between the Allegheny Mountains and the Mississippi River—what later became Tennessee. Settlers in that area,...
Read MoreSite Editor
If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
DevoKids on FaceBook!
Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
