Table of Contents
Nebraska
Platte River
The Platte River is known as “Nebraska” in Native Otoe, which means “flat water”.1)
Arbor Day
Arbor Day was first observed in Nebraska in 1872. Citizens planted trees to help beautify the state.2)
Clifton Hillegass
Nebraska native While working for the Nebraska Book Company in the 1950s, Clifton Hillegass developed his Cliffs Notes® series.3)
Unicameral Legislature
Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature, which means that legislation may only be ratified by one body of elected officials.4)
State Names
Despite the fact that Nebraska's official state nickname is “The Cornhusker State,” state license plates produced from 1956 and 1965 referred to the state as “The Beef State” due to the state's many cattle farms.5)
Chimney Rock
When the US Mint included Chimney Rock on their state quarter, it sparked some debate among Nebraskans. Opponents said that the Oregon Trail marker depicted people moving through Nebraska rather than living there.6)
Bison Escape
Over 100 bison on a feedlot in southern Nebraska escaped after stampeding in 2020. The herd managed to expand across 140 square kilometers of the state before being apprehended.7)
Runzas
Runzas are yeast dough bread pockets filled with a hash of cabbage and ground meat that originated in Nebraska.8)
State Capitol
Nebraska's state capital building was the first in America not to be modeled after the US capital in Washington, DC.9)
Lancaster
Lancaster, Nebraska's capital city, was renamed “Lincoln” in 1869, after Abraham Lincoln, who was slain four years previously.10)
State Motto
The state motto of Nebraska is “Equality Before the Law”.11)
L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard was born in Nebraska and grew up to become the founder of Scientology.12)
Carhenge
“Carhenge,” a famous tourist attraction in Alliance, Nebraska, was designed to imitate England's Stonehenge, although it is composed of automobiles rather than monolithic stones.13)
Kool-Aid
In recognition of the fact that it was created in Nebraska in 1927, Kool-Aid® is the state drink of Nebraska.14)
The Ogallala Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer, a massive underground reservoir utilized by farmers in eight Midwestern states, is fast depleting—except for the portion of the reservoir beneath Nebraska, where it has either changed little or even risen in certain areas.15)
Archie
Archie, the world's tallest fossil Columbian mammoth skeleton, is on exhibit at the University of Nebraska State Museum.16)
Not Attractive For Tourists
Between 2014 and 2018, Nebraska came in last position in an annual study of which states visitors most wished to visit.17)
Weird Laws
Some historic Nebraska laws that are still in effect include a restriction on persons with venereal illnesses marrying and the ability for law enforcement to jail a parent if their child burps in church.18)
Famous Nebraskans
American movie stars such as Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda, and Fred Astaire were all born in Nebraska.19)
Record-breaking Storm
A record-breaking storm in Aurora, Nebraska, in 2003, produced hailstones with a circumference of over 14 inches.20)
Bruce Springsteen
The classic song “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen is about two real-life Lincoln, Nebraska, teenagers who went on a 10-person killing spree in 1958.21)
Nebraska's Bailey Yard
Every day, up to 14,000 rail cars travel through Nebraska's Bailey Yard. The eight-mile railway yard is the world's biggest.22)
Honestly, It's Not For Everyone
The Nebraska Tourism Commission mocked the lack of tourists in 2018 with the motto “Honestly, it's not for everyone”.23)
State Animal
The state animal of Nebraska is the white-tailed deer, the state bird is the meadowlark, and the official flower is goldenrod.24)
Corn State
Corn is Nebraska's most important crop, and the state ranks third in corn output in the US, after only Iowa and Illinois.25)
16th Largest State
Nebraska is the 16th biggest state in the United States, with 77 thousand square miles. Nebraska is further subdivided into 93 counties. Its population, however, is concentrated mostly in its major cities. A huge percentage of the land, 96%, is set aside for farming.26)
100 Million Trees
Despite the fact that it is not as developed as other more populous areas, the state has done its lot to protect its natural biodiversity. That is why Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) began their tree planting project. Beginning in 1972, the state attempted to assist protect the state's natural resources. The NRDs eventually met their goal of planting 100 million trees in 2021. That works up to about 50 trees for every Nebraskan.27)
Willa Cather
Willa Cather is regarded as one of the most influential historical authors in American history. Her childhood house has been designated a historic site in recognition of her literary accomplishments.28)
Red Cloud
Red Cloud is an otherwise ordinary little town in Nebraska. However, it has evolved into a living memorial in Cather's honor, attracting thousands of visitors each year.29)
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was born in Omaha in 1899 and grew up in the state. Because of his abilities as a dancer, actor, and singer, Astaire rose to fame. Throughout his career, he received several honors, including a Special Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.30)