Discover the Cornhusker State: Top 14 Fun Facts About Nebraska You Can't Miss!

1. Birthplace of Arbor Day

Who knew the tree-huggers had a founder? Nebraska's leafy legacy is sprouting with pride: Nebraska is the birthplace of Arbor Day, founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, who along with his wife planted various trees to encourage others to spread the green love. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated across the US with the most popular date being the last Friday in April.
Source => nfs.unl.edu

2. Kool-Aid Origins

Kool-Aid drinkers, Kool your jets: Nebraska didn't just give us Fruit Smack – it's also where the innovative Edwin Perkins broke the powder barrier and turned his lip-smackin' creation into the iconic drink we know today! In 1927, he removed the liquid from the original Fruit Smack, put it in nifty little packets, called it Kool-Ade (later Kool-Aid), introduced us to six fruity flavors, and slapped a price tag of ten cents on it. Kool-Aid's rise to stardom led Perkins' company to focus solely on its production before selling it to General Foods in 1953. Now owned by Kraft, this summer staple quenches our thirst with more flavors than ever, but will always be that Nebraska-born beverage that keeps our tongues colorfully entertained.
Source => history.nebraska.gov

Did you know the world's first electronic digital computer was born in Iowa? Discover how this incredible invention paved the way for modern computing! 🌽💻

=> Fun Facts about Iowa

3. Sand Hills Beach Party

Ever heard of a beach party without the beach? We've got you covered in Nebraska: The state boasts the Sand Hills, which cover one quarter of its land area, with grass-stabilized dunes reaching over 330 feet (100 meters) high. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1984, this sandy wonderland offers mesmerizing views and hosts hundreds of plant and animal species, including the fierce-sounding but endangered blowout penstemon.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Popcorn Kingdom

Corn you believe it? Nebraska's got the popcorn game all buttered up: This mighty state is responsible for producing a whopping 60% of the kernels processed by Preferred Popcorn, an agribusiness established in 1997 that now boasts a family of farmers across seven states and sales in at least 70 countries, making Nebraska the ultimate pop star in the world of popcorn.
Source => nebraskacorn.gov

5. World's Largest Porch Swing

Swing into action, Nebraska style: Home to one of the world's largest covered porch swings, Hebron's Roosevelt Park boasts a seat spanning 32 feet that can support 24 children or 18 adults with ease. This titan of swings, crafted from a repurposed center pivot irrigation frame, towers as an ode to relaxation since 1985 and has been thrilling swing enthusiasts in its current location since 1991.
Source => visitnebraska.com

6. Bovine Royalty

Nebraska is the bovine queen of America, where cows don't just wear the crown, they chew it: The state boasts the top three beef cow counties in the United States, with Cherry County reigning supreme with nearly 166,000 cows, securing its place as a top cattle producer and home to almost 6.8 million cows.
Source => nebeef.org

7. Volleyball Powerhouse

In Nebraska, the stakes are high and the nets are even higher: The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers women's volleyball team not only boasts five national championships, but also holds the record for the most wins in NCAA Division I history, making their home arena a sold-out hotspot since 2001 and frequently topping the NCAA's attendance charts.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Wayne Chicken Show

Why did the chicken cross the road? To attend the Wayne Chicken Show, of course: Held annually on the second Saturday in July, this one-of-a-kind event in Nebraska celebrates chickens through art, humor, and family-friendly activities like quirky contests, games, dancing, entertainment, and even an "egg"-normous parade, all courtesy of the Wayne Regional Arts Council since 1981.
Source => cityofwayne.org

9. Ethanol Champions

Move over, Cornhuskers, it's time to Cheers-husk: Nebraska is an ethanol-producing powerhouse! Pint by pint, Nebraska is covering our corny needs all the way to the second-largest producer in the United States: As of June 2018, the state has a nameplate capacity of 2.3 billion gallons and an operating production of 2.2 billion gallons, dwarfed only by its sipster neighbor, Iowa.
Source => neo.ne.gov

10. Unicameral Legislature

In Nebraska, there's only one chamber of secrets, and it doesn't involve a giant snake or young wizards: The state has a unicameral legislature composed of just 49 senators who each serve a four-year term, making it the smallest state legislature in the United States. This unique structure, introduced in 1935, was championed by U.S. Sen. George W. Norris as a more efficient and cost-effective system than the traditional bicameral one, and it continues to function with its senators representing around 35,000 citizens each in legislative districts while meeting for 90 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years.
Source => nebraskalegislature.gov

11. Wild Dining Experience

Where the wild things dine: Ole's Big Game Steakhouse in Paxton, Nebraska not only satisfies your taste buds with mouthwatering ribeye steaks and prime rib sandwiches, but also surrounds you with an eclectic menagerie of taxidermy animals, including a giraffe and polar bear, making for a truly wild dining experience.
Source => tripadvisor.com

12. Steamboat Trade History

Before the Love Boat took a leisurely cruise down memory lane, Nebraska had its own riverboat rendezvous with trade and commerce: During the 1800s, steamboat trade in cities like Nebraska City helped expand settlement, as riverboats along the Missouri River connected western settlements to vital goods and resources.
Source => frontierlife.net

13. Malcolm X Hall of Fame

Who knew Nebraska's claim to X-cellence was this strong? Get ready to X-alt in your X-citement: Malcolm X, born in Omaha, will be inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 2024, after years of persistent efforts by the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha, celebrating his influential role in the civil rights movement, with a specially designed bust displayed at the state capitol.
Source => ketv.com

14. State Rock and Gemstone

Who needs diamonds when you can have rocks, am I right? Nebraska sure rocks the bling game with a rock so fancy, it's practically a gem: Nebraska has officially designated the prairie agate as its state rock while also recognizing another agate as the state gemstone. These colorful semi-precious stones, found abundantly in areas such as the Oglala National Grassland, are often used for jewelry, showcasing Nebraska's love for its unique geological souvenirs and natural treasures.
Source => statesymbolsusa.org