California
The Golden State
The first state that welcomed me!

The state was named by Spanish explorers who first sailed along the coast in the 1500's. They called the land California, probably after the name of a treasure island in a popular Spanish tale. California is known as the Golden State. Its gold fields attracted thousands of miners, the "forty-niners," during the gold rush of 1849. The nickname also suggests the state's brilliant sunshine, and the golden grass on California pastures in autumn. (The World Book Encyclopedia Volume 3)

Alabama
The Heart of Dixie
My Love's birth state

The name Alabama comes from the name of an Indian tribe that once lived in the region. These Indians called themselves the Alibamu, meaning I open (or I clear) the thicket.

One of Alabama's nicknames, the Yellowhammer State, originated during the Civil War. One day, a company of Alabama troops paraded in uniforms trimmed with bits of bright yellow cloth. The soldiers reminded people of the birds called yellowhammers, which have yellow patches under their wings. After that, Alabama soldiers were known as Yellowhammers. (The World Book Encyclopedia 1966 Edition Volume 1)

Georgia
The Empire State of the South
Changes in my life

Of the 13 colonies that fought in the Revolutionary War, Georgia was the last one founded. The lcolony was named for King George II of England.

Georgia's large size and thriving industries have given the state one of its nicknames, the Empire State of the South. Georgia ranks high in growing peaches that it is sometimes called the Peach State. No other state produces more peanuts--often called goobers in the South--that is why Georgia is also known as the Goober State. (The World Book Encyclopedia Volume 8)

Florida
The Sunshine State
my present home

Florida has been nicknamed the Sunshine State because of its large number of sunny days. It is sometimes called the Peninsula State because it juts southward about 400 miles into the sea. The marshy grasslands near the southern tip of the peninsula account for another nickname, the Everglade State.

Ponce de Leon named the region for the many flowers he saw there. Florida is a Spanish word theat means full of flowers. (The World Book Encyclopedia Volume 7)

Virginia

Virginia is perhaps the most historic of all the 50 states. Some of the most important events in American history took place there. Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Virgin Queen. Virginia is also known as the Old Dominion. King Charles II gave it this name because it remained lovyal to the crown druing the English Civil War of the mid-1600;s. It has the nickname Mother of Preisidents because eight presidents were born there. Also nicknamed, Mother of States because all or part of eight other states were fromed from western territory once claimed by Virginia. (The World Book Encylopedia Volume 19)