a l a b a m a a l a b a m a. state of alabama official symbols and emblems of alabama coat of arms...

A l a b a m aA l a b a m a

State of AlabamaState of Alabama

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Official Symbols and Emblems of AlabamaOfficial Symbols and Emblems of Alabama

Coat of ArmsCoat of Arms

The coat of arms consists of a shield, on which the emblems of the five governments that have held sovereignty over Alabama appear. The flags of

Spain, France, Great Britain, and the Confederacy are bound by the flag and shield of the United

States. This shield is supported on either side by bald eagles, symbolic of courage. The crest is a model of the ship, the Baldine, that Iberville and

Bienville sailed from France to settle a colony near present day Mobile (1699).

The motto beneath the shield is "Audemus jura nostra defendere" ("We Dare Maintain Our Rights"

or "We Dare Defend Our Rights").

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaState Bird of AlabamaState Bird of Alabama

Yellowhammer

Official Flower of Alabama

Camellia


Brief HistoryBrief History

The The Alabama (people)Alabama (people) were a were a MuskogeanMuskogean- speaking tribe whose - speaking tribe whose members lived just below the confluence of the members lived just below the confluence of the CoosaCoosa and and Tallapoosa RiversTallapoosa Rivers on the upper reaches of the on the upper reaches of the Alabama RiverAlabama River. . The word The word AlabamaAlabama is believed to have originated from the is believed to have originated from the Choctaw languageChoctaw language and was later adopted by the Alabama tribe as and was later adopted by the Alabama tribe as their name.their name.

Although the origin of Although the origin of AlabamaAlabama could be discerned, sources disagree could be discerned, sources disagree on its meaning. An 1842 article in the on its meaning. An 1842 article in the Jacksonville RepublicanJacksonville Republican originated the idea that the meaning was "Here We Rest”. originated the idea that the meaning was "Here We Rest”. Scholars believe the word comes from the Choctaw Scholars believe the word comes from the Choctaw albaalba (meaning "plants" or "weeds") and (meaning "plants" or "weeds") and amoamo (meaning "to cut", "to (meaning "to cut", "to trim", or "to gather"). The meaning may have been "clearers of the trim", or "to gather"). The meaning may have been "clearers of the thicket" or "herb gatherers“, which may refer to clearing of land for thicket" or "herb gatherers“, which may refer to clearing of land for cultivation or to collecting medicinal plants.cultivation or to collecting medicinal plants.

Alabama Indian TribesAlabama Indian Tribes AbihkaAbihka

AlabamaAlabama ApalacheeApalachee

ApalachicolaApalachicola AtasiAtasi ChatotChatot

CherokeeCherokee ChickasawChickasaw ChoctawChoctaw

State of Alabama

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaBrief HistoryBrief History The first Europeans to reach Alabama were Spanish explorers in the The first Europeans to reach Alabama were Spanish explorers in the

16th century, who journeyed inland in 1539 under Hernando De Soto 16th century, who journeyed inland in 1539 under Hernando De Soto in search of gold. in search of gold.

The French were the first successful colonizers in Alabama, and in The French were the first successful colonizers in Alabama, and in 1682 claimed Louisiana, which included Alabama. Early settlements 1682 claimed Louisiana, which included Alabama. Early settlements were fortified trading posts along the Mobile River and included the were fortified trading posts along the Mobile River and included the initial French seat of government for the territory, but the Native initial French seat of government for the territory, but the Native Americans began to favor British traders who provided better quality Americans began to favor British traders who provided better quality products at a lower price. Great Britain and France fought a series of products at a lower price. Great Britain and France fought a series of wars climaxing with the French Indian War (1754-1763), which was a wars climaxing with the French Indian War (1754-1763), which was a decisive British victory that removed the French from North America. decisive British victory that removed the French from North America. Following the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) Alabama was given to Following the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) Alabama was given to the United States. Alabama became a separate Territory, and then the United States. Alabama became a separate Territory, and then on December 14, 1819, the 22nd state of the Union. on December 14, 1819, the 22nd state of the Union.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Cotton became the cash crop of Alabama and the plantation system, Cotton became the cash crop of Alabama and the plantation system,

organized around slave labor, was adopted from Virginia. organized around slave labor, was adopted from Virginia.

In 1861 Alabama invited the several other states to Montgomery to In 1861 Alabama invited the several other states to Montgomery to consider forming a Southern nation. There they established the consider forming a Southern nation. There they established the Confederate States of America, and elected as their president Jefferson Confederate States of America, and elected as their president Jefferson Davis. In the reconstruction following the Civil War, Alabama refused to Davis. In the reconstruction following the Civil War, Alabama refused to ratify the 14th Amendment extending rights to blacks, and in 1867 was ratify the 14th Amendment extending rights to blacks, and in 1867 was put under military rule until finally readmitted to the union in 1868.put under military rule until finally readmitted to the union in 1868.

Railroads were built, and industry began to emerge. Railroads spawned Railroads were built, and industry began to emerge. Railroads spawned further industrial growth in the early 1900s though economic expansion further industrial growth in the early 1900s though economic expansion was quenched by the Depression. Alabama’s delegation in Congress was quenched by the Depression. Alabama’s delegation in Congress provided leadership in the recovery programs of the New Deal to provided leadership in the recovery programs of the New Deal to diversify the economy allowing recovery and expansion to continue. diversify the economy allowing recovery and expansion to continue.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama In the 1950s Civil Rights efforts began to focus on integration, and In the 1950s Civil Rights efforts began to focus on integration, and

Dr. Martin Luther King led both the state and nation toward radical Dr. Martin Luther King led both the state and nation toward radical reform, persevering through violent opposition. reform, persevering through violent opposition. From the early 19th century, Alabama’s economy was dominated From the early 19th century, Alabama’s economy was dominated by one crop—cotton, however, the boll weevil, a beetle that infests by one crop—cotton, however, the boll weevil, a beetle that infests cotton plants, so damaged the state’s cotton crop that farmers cotton plants, so damaged the state’s cotton crop that farmers began to concentrate on raising livestock and crops other than began to concentrate on raising livestock and crops other than cotton. Manufacturing began to be important to Alabama with the cotton. Manufacturing began to be important to Alabama with the growth of the iron and steel industry during the early 20th century. growth of the iron and steel industry during the early 20th century. In the late 1990s manufacturing remained the dominant economic In the late 1990s manufacturing remained the dominant economic sector.sector.


AgricultureAgriculture

Farmland covers about 28% of the state.Farmland covers about 28% of the state. Number of farms – 48,500Number of farms – 48,500 Alabama is one of the leading Alabama is one of the leading

cotton producerscotton producers


This state produces cattle and calvesThis state produces cattle and calves

•Catfish

•Broiler and meat chicken and chicken eggs

•Peanuts, sweet potatoes, greenhouse and nursery plants and sod, etc

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaIndustryIndustry Alabama's industrial boom, which began in the

1870s with the exploitation of the coal and iron fields in the north, quickly transformed Birmingham into the leading industrial city in the South, producing pig iron more cheaply than its American and English competitors. An important stimulus to manufacturing in the north was the development of ports and power plants along the Tennessee River.

By the late 1970s, the older smokestack industries were clearly in decline, but Birmingham received a boost in 1984 when US Steel announced it would make its Fairfield plant the newest fully integrated steel mill in the nation. In 1997, Mercedes Benz began manufacturing its sport utility vehicle at a new facility in Vance.


As of 1999, the principal employers among As of 1999, the principal employers among industry groups were food and kindred products, industry groups were food and kindred products, textile mill products, apparel and other textile textile mill products, apparel and other textile products, primary metal industries, industrial products, primary metal industries, industrial machinery and equipment, electronic machinery and equipment, electronic equipment, and transportation equipment. equipment, and transportation equipment.

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaAlabama - Largest CitiesAlabama - Largest Cities

NameName PopulationPopulation BirminghamBirmingham 212,237212,237

MontgomeryMontgomery 205,764205,764

MobileMobile 195,111195,111


HuntsvilleHuntsville180,105180,105 TuscaloosaTuscaloosa90,46890,468 HooverHoover81,61981,619 DothanDothan65,49665,496 DecaturDecatur55,68355,683 AuburnAuburn53,38053,380 MadisonMadison42,93842,938


Places of interestPlaces of interest Moundville Archaeological Park, Tuscaloosa, AL.Moundville Archaeological Park, Tuscaloosa, AL.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Alabama Museum of Natural HistoryAlabama Museum of Natural History

One can experience the natural diversity of Alabama through exhibits from the Age of Dinosaurs, the Coal Age, and the Ice Age; view the extensive displays of geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnology, history, and photography; see the Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human, and the State Fossil of Alabama. The Alabama Museum of Natural History is housed in historic Smith Hall, one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the region.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

appears to be the site of the last battle of the Creek War on March 27, 1814. General Andrew Jackson's Tennessee militia, aided by the 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment and Cherokee and Lower Creek allies, finally crushed Upper Creek Red Stick resistance at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Russell CaveRussell Cave

became a National Monument on May 11, 1961, signed into law became a National Monument on May 11, 1961, signed into law by John F. Kennedy. The National Geographic Society donated by John F. Kennedy. The National Geographic Society donated 310 acres to the American people because of the great 310 acres to the American people because of the great archeological discoveries there. The park is located in Bridgeport, archeological discoveries there. The park is located in Bridgeport, Alabama.Alabama.

.

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaThe cave entrance was used as a shelter by prehistoric

people for about 10,000 years. The cave provided shelter from the elements, maintained a comfortable temperature. A large roof fall raised the floor level of the right side making it more habitable. A natural spring provided fresh water. Plants provided food, tool making materials, and medicine. The environment at Russell Cave ranged from limestone mountain slopes, sandstone mountain tops and valley floors. Animals living in the area provided food. The bones were used to make tools.


The Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, Alabama is a prominent landmark and tribute erected by the citizens of Enterprise in 1919 to show their appreciation to an insect, the boll weevil, for its profound influence on the area's agriculture and economy. Hailing the beetle as a "herald of prosperity," it stands as the world's only monument built to honor an agricultural pest. The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) was indigenous to Mexico, but appeared in Alabama in 1915. By 1918 farmers were losing whole cotton crops to the beetle. H. M. Sessions saw this as an opportunity to convert the area to peanut farming.

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaCultural events Cultural events

• The Carolyn Blount Theatre has been home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.The Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) is the seventh largest Shakespeare festival in the world. Each year it attracts more than 300,000 visitors from throughout the United States and more than 60 countries, to its home in Montgomery, Alabama producing 12–14 productions annually, typically including three works of William Shakespeare. Other plays sample various genres and playwrights, classical and modern, sometimes with an emphasis on Southern works.

State of AlabamaState of Alabama The The Alabama Book FestivalAlabama Book Festival is an annual is an annual literary festivalliterary festival held held

since 2006 in since 2006 in MontgomeryMontgomery, , AlabamaAlabama, USA., USA.

• The Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Alabama. Each year the Jubilee hosts about 60 local and national hot-air balloons

• Big Spring Jam is an annual three-day music festival taking place in Huntsville, Alabama. It features acts from all genres of music including local bands, emerging talent, old favorites, and the top artists of the day. Along with the music, the Big Spring Jam also holds an annual 5k race. The Big Spring Jam takes place early each autumn. The title, however, comes from the location, Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville.


• Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the oldest continual annual Carnival celebration in America, having begun in 1703, Since Mobile was the first capital of French Louisiana (1702), the festival began as a French Catholic tradition, celebrated up until midnight on Mardi Gras day ("Fat Tuesday" or Shrove Tuesday) and the subsequent start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. However, Mardi Gras in Mobile now has evolved into a mainstream multi-week celebration across the spectrum of cultures in Mobile, so that the final Monday, Tuesday, and sometimes even Wednesday have become school holidays, regardless of religious affiliation.

• The National Peanut Festival (NPF), the United States' largest peanut festival, is held each fall in Dothan, Alabama, to honor peanut growers and to celebrate the harvest season

State of AlabamaState of Alabama Books and films set in AlabamaBooks and films set in Alabama FilmsFilms

BooksBooks

Alabama Moon

Another Part of the Forest

Forrest GumpForrest GumpForrest GumpForrest GumpForrest Gump

Forrest Gump

State of AlabamaState of AlabamaManhunter

Sweet home Alabama

To kill a mockingbird

State of AlabamaState of Alabama BooksBooks

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