Because space shuttle engines are tested at Mississippi’s John C. Stennis Space Center, it has been said that “you cannot go to the moon without first stopping in Mississippi.” Well, as it turns out, there are a lot of other things to attribute to our great state. Paving the way for the rest of the world, Mississippi has been the first at a ton of things. So, check out the list below and get ready to love the Magnolia State that much more.
- Uniting Parents and Teachers
Virginia Foxx/Flickr In 1909, the first chapter of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded in Mississippi.
- And, on the Subject of Education…
http://web3.muw.edu/ As far as educational firsts, Mississippi is responsible for several. It was not only the first in the nation to establish a state funded college for women, but was also first to have a planned system of junior colleges. Additionally, Mississippi was the first state in the Mississippi Territory to launch a preparatory school.
- A Little “Corn-y”
Elgin County Archives/Flickr Originally known as the “Corn Club”, the 4-H Club was started in Holmes County in the early 1900’s.
- It’s a Knock-Out
Public Domain Review/Flickr The world’s first modern heavyweight championship fight took place in Mississippi City. The term “knock-out” was actually coined during the fight when, after eight rounds, John L. Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan.
- Equality for All
https://commons.wikimedia.org In 1839, Mississippi was the first state to establish laws which protected the property rights of married women.
- Bottled Up
Natalie Maynor/Flickr Mississippi was the first to bottle two important products. Coca-Cola was first bottled in the city of Vicksburg while the first bottle of Dr. Tichener’s anti-septic was made in Liberty.
- Winning the Space Race
www.warrenproductions.com Davis Planetarium of Jackson was the first organization to make a movie in space, even beating out the multi-million dollar corporation IMAX. Premiering in 1985, “The Space Shuttle: An American Adventure,” eventually won a gold medal in an international film competition.
- Extra, Extra…Read All About It!
Jon S/Flickr Mississippian, W.A. Scott, started the nation’s first African-American newspaper, “The Atlanta Daily World.”
- “Levee-ing” the Way
Team New Orleans, US Army/Flickr In 1860, the nation’s first levee system, which spanned hundreds of miles, was built along the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River.
- Monumental Precedence
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Being that the Civil War profoundly affected the state, it should come as no surprise that Liberty was the first town in the country to construct a Confederate monument.
- Eat Your Wheaties
https://pristineauction.com Many great athletes have been featured on the famous Wheaties box, but the first football player to be featured was Columbia’s very own Walter Payton.
- Two-of-a-Kind
Rachel/Flickr It seems as if selling shoes in boxes by the pair would be a common concept; but it actually didn’t come about until 1884 when Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor of Vicksburg started doing so.
- An Apple a Day…
www.umc.edu The University of Mississippi Medical Center accomplished two world firsts. In 1963, the first human lung transplant was performed followed a year later by the first heart transplant.
- Where Flowers Healed a Nation
Roger Smith/Flickr The concept of Memorial Day came about when, in 1866, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in Columbus’ Friendship Cemetery. This kind act struck the hearts of the nation and eventually came to be known as the annually observed national holiday.
Were you surprised by any of these, or have something to add to the list? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Virginia Foxx/Flickr
In 1909, the first chapter of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded in Mississippi.
As far as educational firsts, Mississippi is responsible for several. It was not only the first in the nation to establish a state funded college for women, but was also first to have a planned system of junior colleges. Additionally, Mississippi was the first state in the Mississippi Territory to launch a preparatory school.
Elgin County Archives/Flickr
Originally known as the “Corn Club”, the 4-H Club was started in Holmes County in the early 1900’s.
Public Domain Review/Flickr
The world’s first modern heavyweight championship fight took place in Mississippi City. The term “knock-out” was actually coined during the fight when, after eight rounds, John L. Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan.
In 1839, Mississippi was the first state to establish laws which protected the property rights of married women.
Natalie Maynor/Flickr
Mississippi was the first to bottle two important products. Coca-Cola was first bottled in the city of Vicksburg while the first bottle of Dr. Tichener’s anti-septic was made in Liberty.
Davis Planetarium of Jackson was the first organization to make a movie in space, even beating out the multi-million dollar corporation IMAX. Premiering in 1985, “The Space Shuttle: An American Adventure,” eventually won a gold medal in an international film competition.
Jon S/Flickr
Mississippian, W.A. Scott, started the nation’s first African-American newspaper, “The Atlanta Daily World.”
Team New Orleans, US Army/Flickr
In 1860, the nation’s first levee system, which spanned hundreds of miles, was built along the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Being that the Civil War profoundly affected the state, it should come as no surprise that Liberty was the first town in the country to construct a Confederate monument.
Many great athletes have been featured on the famous Wheaties box, but the first football player to be featured was Columbia’s very own Walter Payton.
Rachel/Flickr
It seems as if selling shoes in boxes by the pair would be a common concept; but it actually didn’t come about until 1884 when Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor of Vicksburg started doing so.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accomplished two world firsts. In 1963, the first human lung transplant was performed followed a year later by the first heart transplant.
Roger Smith/Flickr
The concept of Memorial Day came about when, in 1866, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in Columbus’ Friendship Cemetery. This kind act struck the hearts of the nation and eventually came to be known as the annually observed national holiday.
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