Portal:Mississippi
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Mississippi(/ˌmɪsəˈsɪpi/MISS-ə-SIH-pee) is astatein theSoutheasternregion of theUnited States.It bordersTennesseeto the north,Alabamato the east, theGulf of Mexicoto the south,Louisianato the southwest, andArkansasto the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by theMississippi River,or its historical course. Mississippi is the32nd largestby area and35th-most populousof the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income.Jacksonis both the state'scapitaland largest city.Greater Jacksonis the state's most populousmetropolitan area,with a population of 591,978 in2020.Other major cities includeGulfport,Southaven,Hattiesburg,Biloxi,Olive Branch,Tupelo,Meridian,andGreenville.
The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival ofPaleo-Indians,evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of theMound Builders,and flourishing of theMississippian culture.European exploration began with the Spanish in the 16th century, followed by French colonization in the 17th century. Mississippi's strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a site of significant economic and strategic importance, especially during the era of cotton plantation agriculture, which led to its wealth pre-Civil War, but entrenched slavery and racial segregation. On December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the20th stateadmitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's topcotton-producing state andslavesaccounted for 55% of the state population. Mississippi declared itssecessionfromthe Unionon January 9, 1861, and was one of the seven originalConfederate States,which constituted the largest slaveholding states in the nation. Following theCivil War,it was restored to the Union on February 23, 1870. Mississippi's political and social landscape was dramatically shaped by the Civil War,Reconstruction era,andcivil rights movement,with the state playing a pivotal role in the struggle for civil rights. From the end of the Civil War to the 1960s, Mississippi was dominated bysocially conservativeandsegregationistDemocratsdedicated to upholdingwhite supremacy.
Despite progress, Mississippi continues to grapple with challenges related to health, education, and economic development, often ranking low in national metrics for wealth, health care quality, and educational attainment. Economically, it relies onagriculture,manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country'sfarm-raised catfish,and is a top producer ofsweet potatoes,cotton andpulpwood.Others include advanced manufacturing,utilities,transportation,andhealth services.Mississippi is almost entirely within the eastGulf Coastal Plain,and generally consists oflowlandplainsand low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of theMississippi Delta.Mississippi's highest point isWoodall Mountainat 807 feet (246 m) above sea level adjacent to theCumberland Plateau;the lowest is the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi has ahumid subtropical climateclassification.
Mississippi is known for its deep religious roots, which play a central role in its residents' lives. The state ranks among the highest ofU.S. statesinreligiosity.Mississippi is also known for being the state with the highest proportion ofAfrican-Americanresidents. The state's governance structure is based on the traditional separation of powers, with political trends showing a strong alignment with conservative values. Mississippi boasts a rich cultural heritage, especially in music, being the birthplace of thebluesand contributing significantly to the development of themusic of the United Statesas a whole. (Full article...)
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Fannie Lou Hamer(/ˈheɪmər/;néeTownsend;October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was an Americanvotingandwomen's rightsactivist,community organizer,and a leader in thecivil rights movement.She was the vice-chair of theFreedom Democratic Party,which she represented at the1964 Democratic National Convention.Hamer also organizedMississippi'sFreedom Summeralong with theStudent Nonviolent Coordinating Committee(SNCC). She was also a co-founder of theNational Women's Political Caucus,an organization created to recruit, train, and support women of all races who wish to seek election to government office.
Hamer began civil rights activism in 1962, continuing until her health declined nine years later. She was known for her use of spiritualhymnsand quotes and her resilience in leading the civil rights movement for black women in Mississippi. She wasextorted,threatened, harassed, shot at, and assaulted byracists,including members of the police, while trying to register for and exercise her right to vote. She later helped and encouraged thousands of African-Americans in Mississippi to becomeregistered votersand helped hundreds of disenfranchised people in her area through her work in programs like theFreedom Farm Cooperative.She unsuccessfully ran for theU.S. Senatein1964,losing toJohn C. Stennis,and theMississippi State Senatein 1971. In 1970, she led legal action against the government ofSunflower County, Mississippifor continued illegalsegregation.
Hamer died on March 14, 1977, aged 59, inMound Bayou, Mississippi.Her memorial service was widely attended and hereulogywas delivered byU.S. Ambassador to the United NationsAndrew Young.She was posthumously inducted into theNational Women's Hall of Famein 1993. (Full article...)Did you know?
- ... that police inIndianola, Mississippi,shot an unarmed 11-year-old African-American boyafter responding to his9-1-1call for help at his home?
- ... thatJaz Brisack,leader of the movement tounionize Starbucks,was the first womanRhodes Scholarat theUniversity of Mississippi?
- ... that theEnterprise,a black newspaper inOmaha,supported a separate African American department at the 1898Trans-Mississippi Exposition?
- ... thatBdóte,an area of sacred significance to theDakota people,centered on the confluence of theMinnesotaandMississippirivers, was also the site of their forced exile fromMinnesota?
- ... that the area of responsibility of the6th Military Police Groupincludes all of the United States west of theMississippi River?
- ... that a 1971 format change and firing of three Black disc jockeys contributed to the Mississippi radio stationWSWGlosing itsbroadcast license?
- ... thatRodney, Mississippi,became aghost townafter the Mississippi River shifted about two miles (3.2 km) away?
- ... that a section ofMississippi Highway 489was designated as the Jason Boyd Memorial Highway to commemorate theMDOTsuperintendent who was killed while removing debris from the road?
Related portals
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Battle of Brice's Crossroads (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Map of Old Choctaw country in Mississippi before removal. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Newton Knight,Unionistleader of "The Free State of Jones" inJones County, Mississippi(fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Mississippi map fromIndian Land Cessions in the United States(1899) by Charles C. Royce (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
A poster showing the members of the 1890 Mississippian state constitutional convention. The members were overwhelmingly white Democrats; the only black member was a man who was allowed into the convention for his willingness to support black disenfranchisement. (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Memorial "commemorating the service of the 1st and 3rd Mississippi infantry regiments, and all Mississippians of African Descent who participated in the Vicksburg Campaign" (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
The legislature of the State of Mississippi in 1890 (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
A Choctaw family in traditional clothing, 1908 (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Before 1945, times were good when the price of cotton was above 20 cents. (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
A proposed route for the de Soto Expedition, based onCharles M. Hudsonmap of 1997 (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Group of Mississippi Choctaw males in the late 50s or early 60s. Photograph by Bob Ferguson. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Confederate lines,Vicksburg,May 19, 1863. Shows assault by US 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
From left to right, Chief Wesley Johnson, Thomas B. Sullivan, Culberson Davis, James E. Arnold, and Emil John. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Biloxi streetcar, early 20th century (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
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Mt. Zion Church state history marker near Philadelphia, Mississippi (fromFreedom Summer) -
Location of Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)
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WikiProjects
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Hello! As a past or current member ofWikiProject Mississippi,a WikiProject dedicated to developing and improving articles aboutMississippi,you are cordially invited to edit, assess, and improve our coverage of all things Mississippi on Wikipedia! |
Mississippi topics
Topics:Constitution-Supreme Court-History-Music
Regions:Golden Triangle-Mississippi Plain-Mississippi Delta-Mississippi Gulf Coast-Natchez District-Pine Belt-Tennessee Valley
Cities:Biloxi-Clarksdale-Clinton-Columbus-Greenville-Gulfport-Hattiesburg-Jackson-Meridian-Olive Branch-Pascagoula-Pearl-Ridgeland-Southaven-Starkville-Tupelo-Vicksburg
Geography:Rivers-Lakes-Mountains-National forests-Islands-Wilderness areas-Natural disasters-Parks-State Parks
Industries:Agriculture-Oil
Statistics:Population
Categories
State symbols
| Nickname | The Magnolia State |
|---|---|
| Motto | Virtute et armis(Latin) transl. By Valor and Arms |
| Flower | Magnolia |
| Rock | Petrified wood |
| Toy | Teddy bear |
| Other | Mississippi Symbolsfor more |
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Web resources
| Official State of Mississippi website |
- Mississippi Governor
- Mississippi Lieutenant Governor
- Mississippi Attorney General
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- Mississippi State Auditor
- Mississippi State Treasurer
- Mississippi State Insurance Commissioner
- Mississippi State Supreme Court
- Mississippi State Legislature
- U.S. Census Bureau Mississippi Data
- USDA Mississippi Statistical Facts
- USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Mississippi
