[caption id="attachment_1865" align="alignright" width="148" caption="Elizabeth Ann Seton, America's First Saint"] [/caption] Well, better late than never! I've been so ridiculously busy all day that I finally got a chance to announce the winner of last night's trivia...

[caption id="attachment_1859" align="alignright" width="142" caption="Today's Prize: How the States Got Their Shapes"] [/caption] I can't believe we are already over halfway through our wonderful adventure through the 50 states. I hope you have found some information...

Nickname: The Cornhusker State Date Ratified: March 1, 1867 (37th) Capital: Lincoln [caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Nebraska"] [/caption] The first Arbor Day holiday was observed in Nebraska in 1872. To this day, the headquarters...

Nickname: The Hawkeye State Date Ratified: December 28, 1846 Capital: Des Moines [caption id="attachment_1848" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Iowa"] [/caption] Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are 100% water. Iowa is also the only...

Nickname: There is no official nickname Date Ratified: August 10, 1821 (24th) Capital: Jefferson City [caption id="attachment_1843" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Missouri"] [/caption] Despite popular belief, Missouri has no official nickname. One of...

Nickname: The Volunteer State Date Ratified: June 1, 1796 (16th) Capital: Nashville [caption id="attachment_1838" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Tennessee"] [/caption] Tennessee earned its nickname during the War of 1812 when volunteers from the state...

Nickname: Badger State Date Ratified: May 29, 1848 (30th) Capital: Madison [caption id="attachment_1831" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Wisconsin"] [/caption] Emil Seidel became the first socialist mayor of a large American city when he was elected...

Nickname: Beaver State Date Ratified: February 14, 1859 (33rd) Capital: Salem [caption id="attachment_1825" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Oregon"] [/caption] Astoria was the first permanent English-speaking settlement west of the Rockies. Oregon is...

Nickname: The Natural State Date Ratified: June 15, 1836 (25th) Capital: Little Rock [caption id="attachment_1820" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Map of Arkansas"] [/caption] Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland...