Mexico is a federal republic with 31 states and one federal district. The country has a diverse range of ethnic and social groups and a varied terrain. Mexico was colonized in the 15th century for its natural resources, and the indigenous people suffered. In the early 1800s, Mexico fought for independence and established a government […]
After Thomas Edison’s first power plant in Manhattan in 1882, over 4,000 power companies supplied electricity independently until after World War II. Three interconnected power grids have since evolved in the US, including the Texas Interconnection, which serves only Texas customers and is exempt from most federal regulations. Texas uses 44% more electricity than California, […]
California, Texas, Florida, and Idaho are the US states that use the most water, contributing over 25% of all US water use in 2005. California used the most water, with 11% of the US total, and 75% of its freshwater use was for agriculture. Water usage declined in the US between 1980 and 2000 due […]
Maine is the only contiguous US state that shares its border with only one other state, New Hampshire. It also has a border with Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. Maine is the top supplier of lobster and toothpicks, and the leading producer of wild blueberries in the US. All contiguous US states touch at least […]
Seat belt laws were first introduced in New York in 1984 and are now required to some extent in all US states. 25 states have primary offense laws, while others have secondary summons. Most states require passengers under 18 to wear a seat belt, but laws vary. Seat belt laws are based on statistics showing […]
Seven US states have clauses in their constitutions that prohibit non-believers from holding public office, but courts have ruled this practice unconstitutional. The US Constitution also prohibits religious tests for public office. Seven U.S. states—Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas—have clauses in their state constitutions barring people who don’t believe in […]
Seven US states have official state dinosaurs, chosen based on fossils found in those states. Colorado’s stegosaurus, Maryland’s astrodon, and Missouri’s Hypsibema missouriensis are among them. Other states have official snacks, toys, and sports. Every state in the United States has a list of official symbols representative of that state’s identity, and there are seven […]
Five US states lack governor’s mansions, with governors opting for private residences near the state capital. The oldest governor’s residence is in Richmond, Virginia, and there are more governor’s mansions than states, with around 55 designated buildings. Five US states do not have governor’s mansions: California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island. Governors in those […]
New England, named by Captain John Smith in the 17th century, played a significant role in the formation of the United States. The region’s colonies became states, and New England led the fight for independence. It also pioneered social reform and remains a leader in human rights, government reforms, and environmental issues. Today, it is […]
In the early 19th century, most of the United States was pro-slavery due to its acceptance in European countries. The American Civil War was fought over the legality and morality of slavery, dividing the nation into pro and anti-slavery states. The Confederacy lost the war, and in 1865, a constitutional amendment abolished slavery throughout the […]
During the American Civil War, 11 Southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America, led by Jefferson Davis. The main cause was the disagreement over slavery, but other issues also contributed. The Confederacy lasted until the Union’s victory in 1865. After the war, efforts were made to reunite the country […]
The US has 50 states and has been a union for 172 years. December is the most common month for states to join, while September and October are the least common. North and South Dakota were admitted on the same day, and some states were admitted on holidays. Two charts show the dates each state […]
Nevada’s legislature is the first to accurately reflect the gender demographics of the state, with a female majority in both upper and lower houses. However, women still only make up 28% of state legislators overall, with some states having as little as 15% female representation. Only nine states have female governors, and the first women […]
Nevada’s bicameral legislature has more women than men, but only 28% of state legislators in the US are women. Colorado’s lower house also has a female majority. Only nine states have female governors. The first women were elected to a state legislature in Colorado in 1894. Nellie Tayloe Ross was the first woman to serve […]
Mississippi ratified the 13th amendment, which banned slavery, in 1995, 130 years after it was originally ratified. Kentucky and Delaware ratified it in 1976 and 1901, respectively. The Emancipation Proclamation only abolished slavery in Confederate states. Some have tried to use the 13th amendment to avoid school-mandated community service, but courts ruled it did not […]
Maine is the only US state with one syllable and borders only New Hampshire. Its name’s origin is uncertain. Chad, France, Spain, Greece, Laos, and possibly Wales have one syllable. Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina have five syllables, while Ohio, Iowa, and Utah have four. “Screeched” and “strengths” are the longest one-syllable words. Only […]
Seat belts reduce the risk of death in road accidents, but laws and enforcement vary between US states. New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t require adults to wear seat belts. Some argue that seat belt laws infringe on personal liberty, while others advocate for seat belts in all modes of transportation. Statistics show […]
Child seat laws vary by state in the US, with different requirements for age and type of restraint. Following these laws can increase a child’s chances of surviving a collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website provides state-specific information. Some states have more restrictive laws than others, and failure to comply can result in […]
A year estate, also known as a term estate or leasehold estate, is a type of lease that allows a tenant to use a property for a specified period of time. It is beneficial for both tenants and owners as it provides consistency in income and specific provisions for rights and responsibilities. If the lease […]
Each US state can collect its own income tax, but some states do not charge one. Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington, Texas, Wyoming, and Florida do not collect state taxes. The amount of income tax an individual must pay depends on where they live, and some cities also impose income taxes on their residents. In […]
