What State Is It?
For some of us, it's hard enough just to try and name all 50 states. But what if we gave you three facts about each one—then do you think you could name them? Let's find out.
HINT: There are 50 questions—one for each state (so, once a state has been the answer, it won't be the answer again).
Answer 40-50 Correctly: You Definitely Know Your States
25-39: Over 50%—Still Pretty Good
15-24: You Have a Little Studying to Do
0-14: State of Denial
1: An OG Colony
1: The great HBO series The Wire takes place in this state.
2: The United States Naval Academy was founded in this state.
3: It was one of the original 13 colonies.
Michael Slonecker, Wikimedia Commons
A: Maryland
The Wire takes place in Baltimore. The United States Naval Academy was founded in Annapolis (the state capital).
2: Birthplace Of Elvis
1: This state's nickname is "The Magnolia State".
2: Elvis Presley was born in this state.
3: The world’s first human lung transplant and heart transplant surgery were both done in this state.
A: Mississippi
Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi (you can go and tour his childhood home).
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
3: Second
1: It is the second largest state in the country.
2: It is the second most populous state in the country.
3: Prior to winning its independence, this state had been controlled by, at one time or another: Spain, France, and Mexico.
A: Texas
Texas won its independence in 1836—becoming the Republic of Texas. It joined the union and became the 28th state in America in 1845.
4: Forested
1: The state's motto is "Dirigo" (Latin for "I lead", "I guide", or "I direct").
2: 89%-90% of the state is covered in forest.
3: It is the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States.
Brian W. Schaller, Wikimedia Commons
A: Maine
Maine is the largest state in New England and it borders New Hampshire and Canada (and ocean). All that forested land makes it the most forest-covered state in the entire country.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
5: Sales Tax? No.
1: There is no sales tax in this state.
2: Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the country, is in this state.
3: The state capital is Salem.
M.O. Stevens, Wikimedia Commons
A: Oregon
Crater lake is 1,932 feet deep and Oregon is one of five states in the country that do not have a sales tax—the others being Alaska, Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
6: Groundhog Day
1: It was the second state to ratify the constitution.
2: The state is home to the weather forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
3: The state has two NFL teams, two MLB teams and two NHL teams.
Anthony Quintano, Wikimedia Commons
A: Pennsylvania
All of the professional sports teams are from the same two cities (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia): Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL). They also have one NBA Team (Philadelphia 76ers).
And let us not forget that they are also the state that gave the world the Philly Cheesesteak.
7: The First State
1: It was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
2: Over three-fifths of the Fortune 500 are legally incorporated in this state.
3: The state capital is Dover.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), Wikimedia Commons
A: Delaware
On December 7, 1787, Delaware ratified the Constitution of the United States and became the first state (ergo the state nickname, "The First State").
Photo: Andreas Praefcke, Wikimedia Commons
8: Show Me
1: Mark Twain was born in this state.
2: The state nickname is the "Show Me State".
3: The state is in the Central Standard Time (UTC−06:00) time zone.
A.F. Bradley, New York, Wikimedia Commons
A: Missouri
Although it is an unofficial nickname (the state doesn't have an official one)—"Show Me State" does appear on license plates in Missouri.
Sarah Minor, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wikimedia Commons
9: Old Folks At Home
1: The state's official state song is "Old Folks at Home".
2: The state has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.
3: On January 10, 1861, the state seceded from the Union (it was one of the seven original Confederate States).
A: Florida
The Stephen Foster folk song, "Old Folks at Home," had been the official state song of Florida since 1953. Some of the lyrics were revised in 2008, such as...
Original: "Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber/Dere's wha de old folks stay".
Revised: "There's where my heart is turning ever/There's where the old folks stay".
10: Diners Galore
1: The state has over 600 diners (more than anywhere else in the world).
2: They were the first state in the new Union to ratify the Bill of Rights.
3: The only state where it is illegal for drivers to pump their own gas.
A: New Jersey
Famous people born in New Jersey: Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Whitney Houston.
Bill Ebbesen, Wikimedia Commons
11: Elevated
1: This state became a state the same year that America turned 100 years old.
2: This state has the highest average elevation of any US state.
3: It was the first state in the country to enact, via voter referendum, a law extending suffrage to women.
A: Colorado
On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th state. Ergo Colorado's nickname "The Centennial State".
12: Crimson On White
1: The current capital of the state was also the first capital of the Confederate States of America.
2: The story To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a fictional town (Maycomb) in this state.
3: The state flag features a white background with a crimson red St Andrew's cross.
Aerra Carnicom, Wikimedia Commons
A: Alabama
Alabama became a state in 1819. In 1861, they seceded from the union to become part of the Confederate States of America (which is when Montgomery became the first capital of said Confederate States of America).
13: Last And First
1: The state is home to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2: It is a landlocked Southern state.
3: It was the last state to officially secede from the United States and join the Confederacy, and it was the first to be readmitted to the Union after the war.
A: Tennessee
Located in Eastern Tennessee, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country.
14: Eureka
1: The state motto is "Eureka".
2: If this state were an independent country, they would have the fourth largest economy in the world.
3: It is the largest state by population in the country.
A: California
It might be the largest state in the country by population—but California is only the third largest state by area in the country.
15: An Enchanting State
1: It has the oldest state capital in the United States.
2: The television series Breaking Bad takes place in this state.
3: The state nickname is "The Land of Enchantment".
A: New Mexico
Not only is Santa Fe the oldest state capital—it is also, at 6,998 feet (2,133 m), the state capital with the highest elevation in the country.
16: Excelsior
1: By area, this state ranks 27th in the country. By population, it ranks fourth.
2: The state motto is "Excelsior".
3: In 2021, this state had the two most visited tourist attractions in the entire country.
A: New York
Those two top tourist attractions: Times Square and Central Park.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
17: 25 Stars
1: The capital city of this state is Little Rock.
2: It is the only US state that actively mines diamonds.
3: The state flag has 25 stars on it.
Cliff from I now live in Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA, Wikimedia Commons
A: Arkansas
Why the 25 stars on the state flag? Well, Arkansas was the 25th state to join the Union.
Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons
18: The Last One
1: It was the 50th state.
2: The state was the birthplace of one US president.
3: The State has two official languages.
A: Hawaii
Hawaii became a state on August 21, 1959.
The president who was born there: Barack Obama (Honolulu, Hawaii).
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza, Wikimedia Commons
19: The Biggest
1: It is the largest state by area.
2: It is the state with the most volcanic eruptions in the country.
3: It was once a Russian colony.
A: Alaska
The total area of Alaska is 665,384 square miles. That is far and away the largest state, with number two Texas coming in at 268,596 square miles.
20: Live Free
1: The state's nickname is "The Granite State".
2: It has the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.
3: In 1775, it was the first state to declare its independence from England.
A: New Hampshire
The highest peak in the Northeastern United States: Mount Washington.
New Hampshire was the ninth state to join the Union.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
21: The Center Of North America
1: The largest city in the state is Fargo.
2: The geographical center of North America is in this state.
3: President Theodore Roosevelt was once a cattle rancher in this state.
Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons
A: North Dakota
The geographical center of North America is located near Balta, Pierce County, North Dakota, at approximately 48°10′N 100°10′W.
22: Mount Rushmore
1: The official state nickname is "The Mount Rushmore State".
2: The state capital is Pierre.
3: The state flower is the American pasqueflower.
A: South Dakota
Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, but the largest city in the state is Sioux Falls.
Maxpower2727, Wikimedia Commons
23: Top 5
1: It was the fifth state to ratify the constitution.
2: ESPN was founded and launched in this state.
3: The state is named after the longest river in New England.
A: Connecticut
While Connecticut is the third smallest state by area—it is the 29th most populous, making it the fourth most densely populated state in the country.
The longest river in New England is the Connecticut river.
24: Lots Of Presidents
1: More presidents have come from this state than any other.
2: It is the only state where governors are prohibited from serving consecutive terms.
3: The state is home to the world's largest naval base.
A: Virginia
Virginia was the birthplace of these eight presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Frank Graham Cootes, Wikimedia Commons
25: Appalachia
1: It became a state on June 20, 1863, by proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
2: The state was home to the first land battle of the Civil War.
3: The state nickname is the "Mountain State".
William F. Cogswell, Wikimedia Commons
A: West Virginia
The "Mountain State": West Virginia is the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain range.
26: Penny For Your Thoughts
1: On The Big Bang Theory series, the character Penny is from this state.
2: This state divides electoral college votes by district (not winner-take-all).
3: Carhenge, a Stonehenge replica made out of old cars, is located in this state.
Jacob C. Kamholz, Wikimedia Commons
A: Nebraska
There are only two states that divide electoral college votes: Nebraska and Maine.
Penny is from Omaha.
Raymond Bucko, SJ, Wikimedia Commons
27: Home Of A King
1: This state borders two Canadian provinces.
2: By area, this is the largest state in New England.
3: Author Stephen King was born in this state.
Stephanie Lawton, Wikimedia Commons
A: Maine
Maine is almost larger than the combined area of all of the five other New England states.
The two Canadian provinces it borders are New Brunswick and Quebec (it shares a maritime border with Nova Scotia).
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
28: Smallest
1: This is the smallest state in the country (by area).
2: The state motto is "Hope".
3: It was the first state to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown.
Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia Commons
A: Rhode Island
Officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the "and Providence Plantations" was officially dropped (by voter amendment) in 2020.
Brian McGuirk, Wikimedia Commons
29: Motown
1: "The Great Lakes State".
2: Berry Gordy Jr founded Motown Records in this state.
3: Madonna was born in this state.
David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons
A: Michigan
Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes.
Gerald R Ford was born in Nebraska but raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
30: Snowy
1: It is the driest state in the country.
2: The state name comes from the Spanish adjective meaning "snowy" or "snow-covered".
3: The official state nickname is "The Silver State".
A: Nevada
Statewide, Nevada averages 10 inches of precipitation per year. The second closest state is Arizona with a statewide average of 12 inches of precipitation per year.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
31: Cheese Please
1: This state is famous for its cheese.
2: The Badger State.
3: It became a state on May 29, 1848.
A: Wisconsin
Cheese is such a part of Wisconsin that the state also has a cheese museum.
Wisconsin was the 30th state.
Corey Coyle, Wikimedia Commons
32: Not A Lot Of People
1: It is the least populous state.
2: The state levies no individual or corporate income tax.
3: State motto "Equal Rights".
A: Wyoming
It may be the least populous state—but Wyoming is the 10th largest state by area.
Vasiliymeshko, Wikimedia Commons
33: Buckeyes
1: The Buckeye State.
2: Seven presidents have come from this state.
3: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in this state.
Derek Jensen (Tysto), Wikimedia Commons
A: Ohio
Second only to Virginia in how many presidents come from the state—Ohio has earned the moniker "the Mother of Presidents".
34: Longest Main Street
1: The state was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890.
2: River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves starred in the 1991 movie My Own Private [state name here].
3: The longest main street in America is in this state.
Stephen Hanafin from Twin Falls, ID, United States, Wikimedia Commons
A: Idaho
The longest main street in America is 33 miles long and is in Island Park, Idaho.
dconvertini, Wikimedia Commons
35: Bought From Napoleon
1: It is the only state with political subdivisions termed parishes.
2: It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east.
3: Napoleon sold the state to America in 1803.
Jacques-Louis David, Wikimedia Commons
A: Louisiana
That sale by Napoleon is the famous "Louisiana Purchase".
Louisiana became the 18th state on April 30, 1812.
36: French Motto
1: It is the only state with their state motto being in French.
2: It is the northernmost state in the contiguous US.
3: The state has voted for every Democratic presidential nominee since 1976 (that's longer than any other state).
A: Minnesota
The state motto, "L'Étoile du Nord", translates to "The Star of the North". Remember the Minnesota North Stars hockey team?
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
37: "Carry On Wayward Son"
1: The "Sunflower State".
2: A band from the state named themselves after the state and had a couple hit songs, including "Carry On Wayward Son".
3: The state is home to the famous largest ball of twine in the world.
Glenn Smith Presents, Inc., Wikimedia Commons
A: Kansas
The rock band Kansas was formed in Topeka (the state capital) and they also had a hit with the ballad "Dust in the Wind".
Dylan Edwards Kswx29, Wikimedia Commons
38: First To Go
1: The state is Columbia.
2: It was the first state to vote in favor of secession from the Union.
3: The Palmetto State.
Akhenaton06, Wikimedia Commons
A: South Carolina
South Carolina was the eighth state to ratify the US Constitution on May 23, 1788 (and the first to vote to secede on December 20, 1860).
39: First In Flight
1: Orville and Wilbur Wright's famous first flight was done in this state.
2: The NHL team nicknamed the "Hurricanes" is from this state.
3: The state anthem is called The Old North State.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
A: North Carolina
That history-making flight by the Wright brothers took place in the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903.
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons
40: How You Like Them Apples
1: The state is the largest producer of apples in the country.
2: The state capital is Olympia.
3: It is the only state to be named after a president.
A: Washington
Besides apples, Washington state is also the largest producer of: hops, pears, blueberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries.
Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons
41: Three Provinces To The North
1: This state is bordered to the north by three Canadian provinces.
2: The capital of the state is Helena.
3: It is the third least densely populated state.
RTC at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
A: Montana
Those three provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
42: Beehive State
1: The largest natural stone bridge in the world is in this state.
2: It is the "Beehive State".
3: It didn't become a state until January 4, 1896.
A: Utah
Utah was the 45th state.
That natural stone bridge: Rainbow Bridge (290 feet high, 275 feet across).
43: Maple Syrup
1: The state's capital is the least populous US state capital.
2: This state is the largest producer of maple syrup in the US.
3: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream started in this state.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
A: Vermont
The state capital is Montpelier.
The Green Mountain State became the 14th state on March 4, 1791.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
44: The Bluegrass State
1: "The Bluegrass State".
2: The capital of the state is Frankfort.
3: The largest underground cave in the world is in this state.
Jud McCranie, Wikimedia Commons
A: Kentucky
Louisville is the most populous city in Kentucky.
Kentucky was the 15th state.
45: Peaches
1: After the Civil War, it was the last state to be readmitted to the Union on July 15, 1870.
2: This state hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
3: Known as the "Peach State".
A: Georgia
Georgia was the fourth state.
The state capital is in Atlanta.
46: Most Populous Capital
1: The state capital is the most populous state capital in the country.
2: About one-quarter of the state is made up of Native American reservations.
3: John McCain represented this state in congress for over 35 years.
United States Senate, Wikimedia Commons
A: Arizona
That populous state capital is Phoenix.
47: Hoosiers
1: "The Hoosier State".
2: The biggest children’s museum in the world is in this state.
3: The state hosts one of the most iconic motor races in the world.
momentcaptured1 from NYC, USA, Wikimedia Commons
A: Indiana
That aforementioned museum: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
That motor race: The Indianapolis 500.
48: Deep Dish
1: The state capital is Springfield.
2: The state is the site of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
3: The state is the birthplace of deep-dish pizza.
A: Illinois
Is this the Springfield where the Simpsons live?
Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
49: Hawkeye
1: This state's flag is patterned after the flag of France.
2: "The Hawkeye State".
3: The shortest and steepest railroad in the country is in this state.
A: Iowa
Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846.
Iowa's capital is Des Moines.
JoshWest.com, Wikimedia Commons
50: Educated
1: The university with the largest financial endowment in the world is in this state.
2: The only US state with a right to shelter law.
3: The most populous state in New England.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
A: Massachusetts
That high-endowment university: Harvard (of course).
David Adam Kess, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
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