Nebraska Trivia 2. The goldenrod was declared the state flower on 4-4-1895 3. J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day in Nebraska City in 1872 4. In 1927 Edwin E. Perkins of Hastings invented the powdered soft drink Kool-Aid 5. Origin of Nebraska's Name: From an Otoe Indian word meaning flat water. 6. Nebraska's State Gem is the Blue Agate 7. The state nickname used to be the "Tree Planter's State" but was changed in 1945 to the "Cornhusker State" 8. The state insect is the honeybee 9. The state motto is "Equality before the law" 10. The Naval Ammunition Depot located near Hastings was the largest U.S. ammunition plant, providing 40% of WWII's ammunition. 11. The Lied Jungle located in Omaha is the world's largest indoor rain forest. 12. Nebraska is the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich. 13. Spam (canned meat) is produced in Fremont, Nebr. 14. Nebr. has the U.S's largest aquifer (underground lake/water supply), the Ogallala aquifer. 15. Nebr. has more miles of river than any other state. 16. The Union Pacific's Bailey Yards in No. Platte is the largest rail classification complex in the world. 17. Nebr. is the only state in the union with a unicameral (one house) legislature. 18. Nebr. was the first state to complete its segment of the nations mainline Interstate system, I-80, a 455 mile stretch of 4-lane highway. 19. Nebr. is both the nation's largest producer and user of center pivot irrigation. 20. Nebr.'s Chimney Rock was the most often mentioned landmark in journal stories by travelers on the Oregon Trail. 21. The 911 system of emergency communications, now used nationwide, was developed and first used in Lincoln. 22. Nebr. has more underground water reserves than any other state in the continental U.S. 23. Wayne is well known for the biggest and best chicken show in the world. 24. Marlon Brando's mother gave Henry Fonda acting lessons at the Omaha Community Playhouse. 25. Lincoln County is the origin of the world's largest "Woolly Mammoth" elephant fossil. 26. Weeping Water, NE is the nations largest limestone deposit and producer. 27. Mutual of Omaha corporate headquarters is a public building built with 3 floors underground. 28. The Nebr. Corn huskers have been to a record 35 consecutive bowl games and 42 consecutive non-losing seasons (before last year)! 29. The world's first college course about radio personality Rush Limbaugh was taught at Bellevue University in Nebr. 30. The largest porch swing in the world is located in Hebron, Nebr and it seats 25 adults. 31. The world's largest hand planted forest is Halsey nat'l Forrest near Thedford. 32. The world's only museums dedicated to Fur Trading are located at Fort Atkinson near Blair and in Chadron, NE 33. The famous architect, Edward Durrell Stone designed the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer near Grand Island, NE 34. The Uni of Nebr-Lincoln weight room is the largest in the country - it covers 3/4 of an acre. 35. Chevyland USA near Elm Creek, NE is the only museum dedicated to a single line of cars 36. The largest Kolache Festival in the world is located in Prague, NE 37. Cozad, NE is located on the 100th Meridian where the humid east meets the arid west. 38. In Nebr. in 1986 for the first time ever 2 women ran against each other for governorship of a state. 39. The cost of the Nebr. Capital bldg. was $9,800,440.07 in 1932. The construction job came in under budget and the bldg. was paid for by the time it was completed. 40. The Union Pacific Railroad museum is headquartered in Nebr. 41. Buffalo Bill Cody held his first rodeo in North Platte on July 4 1882 42. In 1950, Omaha became the home of the College World Series of baseball. 43. There are 5 army forts open to the public in Nebr: Atkinson, Kearney, Hartsuff, Sidney and Robinson 44. Sidney, NE was the starting point of the Black Hills Gold Rush 45. Antelope and Buffalo are counties in Nebr. named after animals 46. Dr. Harold Edgerton of Aurora, NE is the inventor of the strobe light 47. Kearney, NE is located exactly between Boston and San Francisco 48. Father Edward Flanagan founded Boys Town in Omaha in 1917 49. Nebr. became a state on March 1, 1867 50. Daniel Freeman homesteaded in Nebraska near Beatrice, in 1863, the first homesteader to take advantage of the homestead act. 51. Yes, THE GOOD LIFE = NEBRASKA Jeff Foxworthy on Nebraska If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Nebraska. If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because it's the coldest spot in the nation,you might live in Nebraska. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Nebraska. If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Nebraska. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Nebraska. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in spot in the nation,you might live in Nebraska. If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Nebraska. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Nebraska. If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Nebraska. YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE Nebraskan WHEN 1. "Vacation" means going east or west on I-80 for the weekend. 2. You measure distance in hours. 3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once. 4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again. 5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching. 6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings). 7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. 8. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them. 9. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit. 10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow. 11. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction. 12. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce. 13. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age. 14. Down South to you means Kansas. 15. A brat is something you eat. 16. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed. 17. You go out to a tail gate party every Friday. 18. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost. 19. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car. 20. You find 0 degrees "a little chilly." Nebraska Jokes Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest Personal stories from former Nebraskans living in other places: Recently I was driving on Interstate 95 in New Haven, Connecticut, when in my rear-view-mirror I noticed a guy in a car waving at me in a very strange manner. I was wondering if my car was on fire, my trunk was open, or if I had cut him off. I became a bit alarmed as I saw him speed up behind me. He began to tailgate me very closely all the while waving his hands like he was nuts. I continued on, knowing that my car seemed to be in working order, I knew I hadn't cut him off in traffic, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he was trying to get my attention. In Connecticut, more people tailgate than don't, so it was no big deal. I did what I always do when I'm being tailgated. I started driving slower. Then he came up beside me in the far left lane. By now, he had rolled down the passenger side window and was leaning across the seat, left hand on the steering wheel, and his right hand was waving and trying to get my attention. Did he have a gun? Was he the stalker I didn't know I had? No. His right hand lifted up into view. Fully expecting to see his middle finger come up, I almost turned away. But I didn't. He didn't raise his middle finger. He raised his index finger, into a "Number 1" sign. He was mouthing the words "We're Number 1!!" Ahhhh!! I knew what was up. I remembered the "Nebraska, Go Big Red" lisence plate holder I had around my Connecticut plate. Instead of a crazy, madman out to kill me, he was a Husker fan, bonding with another Husker fan at 60 miles an hour on I-95. I waved back at him with a number 1 sign as well. He then got in front of me, and had the same Nebraska lisence plate holder that I had purchased at the Nebraska Bookstore on one trip back to Lincoln. __________________ Personal story from former Nebraskan living in another place: Recently I was driving on Interstate 95 in New Haven, Connecticut, when in my rear-view-mirror I noticed a guy in a car waving at me in a very strange manner. I was wondering if my car was on fire, my trunk was open, or if I had cut him off. I became a bit alarmed as I saw him speed up behind me. He began to tailgate me very closely all the while waving his hands like he was nuts. I continued on, knowing that my car seemed to be in working order, I knew I hadn't cut him off in traffic, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he was trying to get my attention. In Connecticut, more people tailgate than don't, so it was no big deal. I did what I always do when I'm being tailgated. I started driving slower. Then he came up beside me in the far left lane. By now, he had rolled down the passenger side window and was leaning across the seat, left hand on the steering wheel, and his right hand was waving and trying to get my attention. Did he have a gun? Was he the stalker I didn't know I had? No. His right hand lifted up into view. Fully expecting to see his middle finger come up, I almost turned away. But I didn't. He didn't raise his middle finger. He raised his index finger, into a "Number 1" sign. He was mouthing the words "We're Number 1!!" Ahhhh!! I knew what was up. I remembered the "Nebraska, Go Big Red" lisence plate holder I had around my Connecticut plate. Instead of a crazy, madman out to kill me, he was a Husker fan, bonding with another Husker fan at 60 miles an hour on I-95. I waved back at him with a number 1 sign as well. He then got in front of me, and had the same Nebraska lisence plate holder that I had purchased at the Nebraska Bookstore on one trip back to Lincoln. Husker fans, you gotta love 'em. Putting themselves in jeopardy just to bond with another Husker fan. There is no place like Nebraska. by Jim D. Berryman _______________________ Nebraska Style Survivor! Due to the popularity of the Survivor shows, Nebraska is planning to do its own, entitled "Survivor-Nebraska Style." The contestants will start in Omaha, travel up to South Sioux City and on to Norfolk and Columbus. Then they will head over to Grand Island and up to Kearney and Ogallala. From there they will proceed up to Scottsbluff and Valentine. Then back down through North Platte, McCook, Red Cloud and Superior ....all the way over to Lincoln and back to Omaha. Each will be driving a pink Volvo with California license plates and a large bumper sticker that reads: "I'm a vegetarian. Steak clogs your arteries. The Huskers stink. Go Raiders! Cheese is high in cholesterol. Hillary in 2004. Deer-hunting is murder, and I'm here to confiscate your guns!" The first one that makes it back to Omaha alive, wins. _________________________ Word From God Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made." Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?" It's a planet," replied God, " and I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth, "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while Southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of one race and over there another," God continued, pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass in the Middle of North America "What's that one?" Ah," said God. "That's Nebraska, the most glorious place on Earth. The people from Nebraska are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hard-working and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace. I'm also going to give them a super-human, undefeatable football team who will be admired and feared by all who come across them." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed. "What about balance, God? You said there will be BALANCE!" God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the loud-mouthed idiots I'm putting next to them in "Colorado, Iowa and Kansas." _____________________________ Nebraska Cornhusker Quiz How do you keep a Nebraska Cornhusker player out of your yard? Put up goal posts. Where do you go in Lincoln in case of a tornado? Memorial Stadium - they never get a touchdown there. Why doesn't Omaha have a Div 1A football team? Because then Lincoln would want one. Why was Frank Solich upset when the Cornhusker playbook was stolen? Because he hadn't finished coloring it. What's the difference between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and a dollar bill? You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill. What do you call 47 people sitting around a TV watching the College Championships? The Nebraska Cornhuskers. What do the Nebraska Cornhuskers and possums have in common? Both play dead at home and get killed on the road. ___________________________ A certain priest, an avid football fan, had to hear confessions during an
important Nebraska-Oklahoma game. When one man had finished confession, the
priest asked him, "Are you by any chance going to be around awhile?" "Yes, Father," answered the man. "I'm painting the church and I'll be here all afternoon." "Would you mind then," the Father asked, "coming back in now and then and keeping me posted on the game?" "Sure," the man said. Later, the priest slid open the confessional grille, and heard, "Father, my last confession was fifteen minutes ago. Since then I ain't done nothing, and neither has Nebraska." Crazy Laws in Nebraska
It is illegal for a mother to give her daughter a perm without a state license. It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup. It is Illegal to go whale fishing. If a child burps during church, his parent may be arrested. Lehigh Doughnut holes may not be sold Omaha A man is not allowed to run around with a shaved chest. Sneezing or burping is illegal during a church service. Waterloo Barbers are forbidden from eating onions between 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. |
| Designation | Symbol / Emblem | Adopted |
| American Folk Dance | Square Dance | 1997 |
| Beverage | Milk | 1998 |
| Ballad | "A Place Like Nebraska" by Sol Kutler | 1997 |
| Baseball Capital | Wakefield | 1997 |
| Bird | Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta) | 1929 |
| Fish | Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) | 1997 |
| Flag | Find out more | 1925 |
| Flower | Goldenrod(Solidago serotina) | 1895 |
| Fossil | Mammoth | 1967 |
| Gemstone | Blue Chalcedony(Agate) | 1967 |
| Grass | Little Bluestem(Schizachyrium scoparium) | 1969 |
| Great Seal | Find out more | 1867 |
| Historic Baseball Capital | St. Paul | 1997 |
| Insect | Honeybee (Apis mellifica) | 1975 |
| Mammal | White-tailed Deer | 1981 |
| Poet Laureate | John G. Neihardt (1881-1973) | 1921 |
| River | Platte River | 1998 |
| Rock | Prairie Agate | 1967 |
| Soft Drink | Kool-Aid | 1998 |
| Soil | Holdrege series(Typic Argiustolls) | 1979 |
| Song | "Beautiful Nebraska" words by Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller, music by Jim Fras | 1967 |
| Tree | Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) | 1972 |
| Village of Lights | Cody | 1997 |