Discover the Magnolia State: Top 12 Amazing and Fun Facts About Mississippi You Never Knew!

1. Elvis' Humble Beginnings

Before there was "Jailhouse Rock" and those iconic gyrating hips, there was a tiny two-room shack in the land of magnolias for the future King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley came into the world in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, and fans can still tour his humble beginnings at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum in his quaint hometown.
Source => usatoday.com

2. Mississippi: Birthplace of Blues

In the land of cotton, where old times are not forgotten, the Blues were born and raised: Mississippi is the proud mother of the iconic blues music genre and has produced legends like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. The state's Blues Trail is a historical marker trail that honors the rich musical heritage, especially in the Mississippi Delta region where African American, European, and regional influences all fused together to create their soulful melodies, and the blues scene continues to draw crowds to this day.
Source => britannica.com

Did you know that the world's favorite spicy superhero, TABASCO® Sauce, was born in 1868 in Louisiana's Avery Island? Discover how this fiery condiment saved our taste buds and conquered the culinary world! 🌶️🔥

=> Fun Facts about Louisiana

3. The Brains and Teeth of Mississippi

In Mississippi, they've got the brains and the teeth to prove it: The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson is the state's only academic medical center, housing seven health science schools, including Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Related Professions, Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Population Health, and Pharmacy. Established in 1955, the 164-acre campus features University Hospital, Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, Conerly Critical Care Hospital, Children's of Mississippi – the state's only children's hospital – and Rowland Medical Library, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and The Joint Commission.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Catfish Capital of the Nation

Move over, Aquaman, it's catfish o'clock in Mississippi: The state proudly claims the title of nation's top catfish producer, boasting over 171 million farm-raised whiskered wonders as of July 2022, according to the USDA. And, the World Catfish Festival held in Belzoni isn't just for show – it's a catfish-palooza with street fairs, live music, and mouthwatering catfish-eating contests, as well as a heartwarming fundraiser for tornado victims via the Heart of the Delta Foundation.
Source => forbes.com

5. Holy Congregation Overload

It's a 'holy' congregation, Batman!: Mississippi boasts the title for having the highest number of churches per capita in the United States, with a staggering 6,700 religious congregations serving a population of just under three million.
Source => christiangist.com

6. Pascagoula's UFO Sightings

In Mississippi, the truth isn't just out there; it's floating down the Pascagoula River: Home to picturesque towns and an alleged alien abduction in 1973, the renowned Pascagoula River harbors both beautiful wildlife and a UFO sighting that gets conspiracy theorists probing for more.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Oxford: City of Wordsmiths

Oxford, Mississippi: where wordsmiths frolic and literary spirits roam free, mingling with the echoes of pen strokes on paper: This charming town has been a muse for authors like William Faulkner, John Grisham, and Cynthia Shearer, boasting landmarks such as the Faulkner's Rowan Oak home and his gravesite at St. Peter's Cemetery. Adding to its wordy reputation, Oxford also hosts two annual literary conferences, attracting big names like Stephen King, Larry Brown, and George Plimpton.
Source => oxfordms.com

8. Mississippi's Elegant State Capitol

Get prepared to dome sweet dome: Mississippi's state capitol is a gorgeous Beaux-Arts classic building designed by Theodore C. Link and completed in three short years from 1900-1903, boasting a steel-framed structure, polychromatic marble interior, and a charming terra-cotta-clad dome that was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2016.
Source => sah-archipedia.org

9. Stennis Space Center's Rocket Power

One small step for Mississippi, one giant leap for rocket-kind: The John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi was instrumental in the development of the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo program and continues to be a vital testing ground for rocket engines in commercial and government space programs today.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Magnificent Mansions in Mississippi

You might say Mississippi is the original Southern belle, with plenty of historic mansions to make anyone swoon: Boasting beautifully preserved homes from the 1800s, the state offers a chance to step back in time and tour magnificent plantation houses like Anchuca Mansion, the former residence of Jefferson Davis' brother, which now operates as a historic inn and restaurant serving Southern cuisine. Don't miss the charm of Annabelle, Baer House, Corners Mansion, Duff Green Mansion, Grey Oaks Plantation, Martha Vick House, McNutt House, McRaven, and Oak Hall!
Source => thisismysouth.com

11. Civil War Split in Vicksburg

When Union troops weren't too "tapped out" to "split the bill" during the Civil War, they were actually splitting the Confederacy in half: Ulysses S. Grant played a key role in capturing Vicksburg, Mississippi, from May 19 to July 4, 1863, opening the Mississippi River to Union gunboats and effectively dividing the Confederate stronghold. The story of this monumental siege is preserved today at Vicksburg National Military Park.
Source => npshistory.com

12. Sultana: Worst Maritime Disaster

In a steamboat showdown that would put the Titanic to shame: Mississippi witnessed the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history with the explosive sinking of the steamboat Sultana in 1865, resulting in a whopping 1,800 lives lost.
Source => npr.org