50 States: Missouri

MISSOURI

Located in the Midwest, Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821.  First explored by Marquette and Joliet in 1673, this land was claimed for France by Sieur de La Salle in 1682.  The first permanent European settlement was not until almost 70 years later.  Spain controlled the Louisiana Territory of which Missouri was a part from 1762 until 1800 when it returned the land to France.  In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France.  The Territory of Missouri was created out of the Louisiana Territory in 1812, and the first petition for statehood was presented to Congress on January 8, 1818.

As Missouri desired to become a state, the rest of the nation argued about whether Missouri should be allowed to enter the Union as a slave state or a free state.  The Missouri Compromise, in 1820, allowed Missouri to be admitted as a slave state, but Maine would be admitted as a free state.  The second part of the Compromise was that all states admitted to the Union from the Louisianan Purchase land north of the southern border of Missouri would be free states.  This Compromise lasted until the Kansas-Nebraska of 1854.  Missouri ended up being the first slave state to free its slaves.

The Missouri flag contains a red, white, and blue stripe reminiscent of the French flag since it was an area that was once owned by France.  The Missouri state seal is surrounded by 24 stars which represent the number of states present when Missouri entered the Union.  The grizzly bears represent the ideals of bravery and strength.  There is a knight's helmet and 24 more stars along with two mottoes, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" and "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esta" (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law).  Inside the circle, there is an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, as well as a crescent moon and another grizzly bear.  The Roman numeral for 1820 is also seen, which stands for the year of the Missouri Compromise.

The following are the state symbols of Missouri:

Bird - Bluebird

Animal - Missouri mule

Insect - Honeybee

Fish - Channel catfish

Flower - White hawthorn

Tree - Flowering dogwood

Nut tree - Eastern black walnut tree

Musical instrument - Fiddle

Folk dance - Square dance

Missouri's nickname is "The Show Me State."  It is said that Missourians need to be shown evidence before they will believe something.  Some famous people born in Missouri include Maya Angelou, Burt Bacharach, Yogi Berra, Chuck Berry, Molly Brown, Calamity Jane, George Washington Carver, Walter Cronkite, Sheryl Crow, T.S. Eliot, Edwin Hubble, Langston Hughes, John Huston, Jesse James, Casey Jones, J.C. Penney, Harry S. Truman, and Mark Twain.  There are also many actors, writers, musicians, and political figures who were born here.  Pick one and research him or her.

Missouri is home to some wonderful creations and some famous/infamous events.  Iced tea and the ice cream cone were invented at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.  Aunt Jemima pancake flour was created in 1889 in St. Joseph.  Missouri is the location of the U.S.'s most powerful earthquake, 1811, and the most destructive tornado, 1925.  

The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City, named in honor of Thomas Jefferson and planned by the son of Daniel Boone.  It was incorporated in 1825.

Some interesting places to visit in Missouri include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Titanic Museum in Branson, Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Mark Twain Boyhood Home in Hannibal, Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village in Defiance, Harry S. Truman National Historic Sites, Jesse James Home in St. Joseph, and Pythian Castle in Springfield, just to name a few.

Of course, there are Civil War battlefields, zoos, museums, theme parks, ball parks, and state parks.

Here are a couple of sites to learn about Missouri:

http://mrnussbaum.com/united-states/missouri/

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/us_state_games/missouri/

The following resources come from Christianbook.com.

***I am an affiliate with christianbook.com.  If you choose to purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission.***

Missouri History In Light Of The Cross, Worktext By Sarah Crain / The Homeschool Planbook This worktext lists the state facts about Missouri before chronologically covering pre-historic Missouri through the current decade; additional chapters cover natural resources and the state government. Multiple choice, sentence completion, fill-in-the-blank, and composition exercises are included throughout. 141 pages, comb-binding.

Missouri Jography, Grades K-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Geography activities include information on rivers, museums, historic places, sites of interest, bordering states, climate, topography, crops and more! Approximately 30 activities and 200 geography-related places and facts are covered. This book is filled- with exercises that reinforce learning, sharpen research skills, and provide a lively resource about their state. Includes: Fast "Fax", word search, multiple choice, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

The Positively Missouri Puzzle Book By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 to the Tariff Compromise of 1833 DVD By TMW Media Group Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union explores the turbulent forty years leading up to the Civil War. This program examines the impact of slavery on the expansion of the Nation westward and how conflict between North and South, free states and slave states, was, in the end, irrepressible. Illustrated with stunning period photographs and art, footage of the Old Senate Chamber in the Nation's Capitol, and dramatic scenes of Clay and his senate colleagues played by skilled professional actors, Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union brings the history of the years before the Civil War alive on the screen. Students will learn: What event triggered the need for compromise in 1819? What other event in 1820 saved the nation from splitting apart? What was the final compromise of 1820? After a compromise was reached admitting Missouri and Maine as States, what caused a second crisis over Missouri's admission to the Union? What act of Henry Clay's nearly ruined his political career? What events triggered the need for compromise in 1833? What kept South Carolina from seceding and plunging the Nation into civil war?" Grades 8-12. 20 minutes on DVD.

Just The Facts: America's State Capitals By Cerebellum Corporation Quick . . . what's the capital of Missouri? What state has Augusta as its capital? After viewing Just the Facts: America's State Capitals those questions will be easy to answer. The interactive format of this DVD invites viewers to test their knowledge of our state capitals and makes watching (and learning!) fun for all ages.The fast-paced program intertwines history and geography with points of interest and fascinating facts about the 50 capital cities. Viewers learn, for example, that Tallahassee was the only Southern capital that was not captured by the Union during the Civil War and that it also lays claim to Tarzan and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.The segment on Boston includes that famous Tea Party, a quick tour of the Freedom Trail, and a swan boat, among other interesting sights and facts. Each state capital is unique, and viewers will enjoy learning about them all.

The Twain Legacy - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn DVD By TMW Media Group ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Twain (1835-1910): The Twain Legacy introduces an overview of Mark Twain's life, times and interpretation of This episode in the Masters of American Literature DVD Series, The Hawthorne Legacy,The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This episode in the Masters of American Literature DVD Series, The Twain Legacy, covers Twain's references to his early childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, his use of African American Dialect, his antipathy toward slavery, and his effective use of irony in the story line. Even today The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn faces challenges from educational groups and whether this fictional story should be taught in the classroom. Leading scholars Shelly Fisher Fishkin, Justin Kaplan and David Lionel Smith put forward significant commentary promoting this classical American novel reading and studying.This DVD is divided into five chapters intended for class and individual learning and discussion. Knowledgeable scholars explore themes, ideas and narrative style in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. By examining and exploring why his historical and moral concerns were important, the presenters weave Twain's themes of slavery, prejudice and class into a coherent awareness. Grades 8-12. 30 minutes on DVD.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition By Globe Pequot Lewis and Clark lived one of the most exciting chapters in American history, and their expedition shaped America's destiny. Learn about their two-year journey that took them from St. Louis, Missouri, up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Ages 9-12.

Harry S. Truman: Thirty-Third President of the United States - eBook By George E. Stanley / Aladdin One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With this lively, inspiring, fictionalized biography -- easily read by children of eight and up - children will swept into the story of Harry S. Truman, our 33rd president. 256 pages, paperback.

Harry Truman's Successful Presidential Succession By Michael Louthian / Xulon Press

George Washington Carver By William J. Federer / Amerisearch

George Washington Carver By Coughlan Publishing Introduce your young students to George Washington Carver and his life's work! This brief biography of the African American scientist who overcame tremendous hardship to make unusual and important discoveries in the field of agriculture features simple text and engaging photos. Ages 4-8. 24 pages, paperback.

Heroes of History: George Washington Carver, From Slave to Scientist By Janet & Geoff Benge / Emerald Books The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. Once a kidnapped slave baby, George Washington Carver found freedom in learning everything he could about the world around him. Overcoming poverty and racism, George became a brilliant scientist and a gifted professor who dedicated his expertise to helping black farmers escape the devastating grip of poverty. For ages 10 and up.

Heroine of the Titanic: The Real Unsinkable Molly Brown By Elaine Landau / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learn about the real unsinkable Molly Brown! This fascinating biography looks at the humble beginnings and meteoric rise of socialite Margaret Brown. Her activities for the poor mining families and her efforts to help France post-WWII are documented alongside family photographs from throughout her life. A fine portrait of a woman and an era. 132 indexed pages, hardcover with dust jacket.

The Old West: Villains and Avengers -Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Joe Loesch / SpringWater Experience the rugged frontier as you encounter villains and avengers in legendary locations. Featuring: The Saga of Frank and Jesse James - These two brothers began their reign of terror during the last days of the Civil War in the no-man's land of Missouri. Billy the Kid - In the late 1870s, this skinny young boy vowed to live above the law with other criminals in the sparsely populated territory of New Mexico. Tombstone - The colorful western town was home to the O.K. Corral, the Crystal Palace, the Bird Cage Theater and the notorious Earp brothers. The Hatfield McCoy Feud - For years these two families in the mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia took justice into their own hands with the barrel of a gun. The Valley of the Greasy Grass - When General Custer and his men rode into this valley, they launched the Battle at the Little Big Horn. Unabridged. 5 CDs. Read by various artists.