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Alabama
Capital:
Montgomery
State abbreviation/Postal code:
Ala./AL
Nickname:
Yellowhammer State
Origin of name:
May come from Choctaw meaning
“thicket-clearers” or “vegetation-gatherers”
Briefs on Alabama:
The 30th largest state in United
States, spreading in an area of 135,775 square kilometers, with an
approximate population of 4,447,100 people, Alabama is a state known
for many reasons.
The ideal location of the country in the south of
United States, its unmatched scenic splendor comprising of mountains
and lakes of north Alabama and the sugar-white beaches lining in the
Alabama’s southern Gulf Coast, remarkable attractions such as Alabama
Constitution Village, Alabama States Park, Anniston Museum of Natural
History, Birmingham Museum of Art and so forth, vibrant festivals and
events like Jubilee Cityfest, delectable cuisine and outstanding
hospitality of the natives, together make Alabama a perfect holiday
destination.
 On looking at the history of this enticing state
it is revealed that like today even in prehistoric times the Native
Americans occupied the place. But the prominent Native American tribes
in the region at that time were Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Koasati and
Mobile. During the Burial Mound Period that prevailed from 1000 BC to
AD 700, trade with the Northeast began through the Ohio River. The
trade continued till the European contact. The Meso- American impact
is till date greatly visible in the agrarian Mississippian culture
that came after it.
In 1702 with the establishment of the Mobile, the
French established the foremost European settlement in Alabama. From
1702 to 1763 French occupied the southern Alabama. It became a part of
the British West Florida in 1763 and continued to remain so till 1780.
From 1780 to 1814, the southern portion of Alabama was a part of the
Spanish West Florida. During 1763 to 1783 the northern and central
hemisphere of Alabama was under British Georgia. After that it became
a part of the American Mississippi region.
For a long time Alabama could not acquire
statehood due to non-availability of a coastline. However the lack was
rectified or fulfilled with Andrew Jackson capturing the Spanish
Mobile in 1814. As a result in 1819, Alabama was declared the 22nd
state of United States of America.
11th January 1861 proved to be a
remarkable day in the history of Alabama for it was on that day that
Alabama became a Confederate State (states that existed between 1861
and 1865 in North America, made up of states that seceded from the
United States of America). On 18th February 1861 Alabama
came to be known as the Alabama Republic.
The land of Alabama has not recorded many battles
fought on it. But yet it had a significant contribution in the Civil
War in the country. Alabama contributed 120,000 soldiers to the
American Civil War that commenced in 1861 and continued till 1865. As
soon as the war got over, in that very year the state witnessed the
establishment of a provisional government.
Years passed and finally in 1868 on 14th
July Alabama was officially taken back in the Union. In the history of
America the name of Alabama still shines due to the immense support it
gave to the Confederacy during the Civil War and the manner in which
it played stage center in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and
1960s.
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