Portal:Mississippi
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Mississippi (/ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/ ⓘ MISS-iss-IP-ee) is a state in the Southeastern and Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the southwest, and Arkansas to the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River, or its historical course. Mississippi is the 32nd largest by area and 35th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income. Jackson is both the state's capital and largest city. Greater Jackson is the state's most populous metropolitan area, with a population of 591,978 in 2020. Other major cities include Gulfport, Southaven, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Olive Branch, Tupelo, Meridian, and Greenville.
The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival of Paleo-Indians, evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of the Mound Builders, and flourishing of the Mississippian culture. European exploration began with the Spanish in the 16th century, followed by French colonization in the 17th century. Mississippi's strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a site of significant economic and strategic importance, especially during the era of cotton plantation agriculture, which led to its wealth pre-Civil War, but entrenched slavery and racial segregation. On December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state admitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's top cotton-producing state and slaves accounted for 55% of the state population. Mississippi declared its secession from the Union on January 9, 1861, and was one of the seven original Confederate States, which constituted the largest slaveholding states in the nation. Following the Civil War, it was restored to the Union on February 23, 1870. Mississippi's political and social landscape was dramatically shaped by the Civil War, Reconstruction era, and civil rights movement, with the state playing a pivotal role in the struggle for civil rights. From the Reconstruction era to the 1960s, Mississippi was dominated by socially conservative and segregationist Southern Democrats dedicated to upholding white supremacy.
Despite progress, Mississippi continues to grapple with challenges related to health, education, and economic development, often ranking among the lowest in the United States in national metrics for wealth, health care quality, and educational attainment. Economically, it relies on agriculture, manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country's farm-raised catfish, and is a top producer of sweet potatoes, cotton and pulpwood. Others include advanced manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and health services. Mississippi is almost entirely within the east Gulf Coastal Plain, and generally consists of lowland plains and low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of the Mississippi Delta. Mississippi's highest point is Woodall Mountain at 807 feet (246 m) above sea level adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau; the lowest is the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate classification.
Mississippi is known for its deep religious roots, which play a central role in its residents' lives. The state ranks among the highest of U.S. states in religiosity. Mississippi is also known for being the state with the highest proportion of African-American residents. The state's governance structure is based on the traditional separation of powers, with political trends showing a strong alignment with conservative values. Mississippi boasts a rich cultural heritage, especially in music, being the birthplace of the blues and contributing significantly to the development of the music of the United States as a whole. (Full article...)
Selected article -
Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime thriller film directed by Alan Parker and written by Chris Gerolmo that is loosely based on the 1964 investigation into the deaths of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in Mississippi. It stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers in fictional Jessup County, Mississippi, who are met with hostility by the town's residents, local police, and the Ku Klux Klan.
Gerolmo began writing the script in 1986 after researching the 1964 murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner. He and producer Frederick Zollo presented it to Orion Pictures, and the studio hired Parker to direct. The writer and director had disputes over the script, and Orion allowed Parker to make uncredited rewrites. The film was shot in a number of locations in Mississippi and Alabama, with principal photography from March to May 1988.
On release, Mississippi Burning was criticized by activists involved in the civil rights movement and the families of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner for its fictionalization of events. Critical reaction was generally positive, with praise aimed towards the cinematography and the performances of Hackman, Dafoe and Frances McDormand. The film grossed $34.6 million in North America against a production budget of $15 million. It received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Cinematography. (Full article...)
Did you know?
- ... that Rodney, Mississippi, became a ghost town after the Mississippi River shifted about two miles (3.2 km) away?
- ... that the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River is the northern terminus of the river's navigable portion?
- ... that the only functioning secondary school in Mississippi during the American Civil War was founded by Thomas S. Gathright?
- ... that Carey Wright implemented literacy reforms that led to the "Mississippi Miracle"?
- ... that it cost an estimated $1.2 million to move the Confederate Monument at the University of Mississippi?
- ... that the American play His Majesty Bunker Bean was a national hit that had "been seen by most of the country east of the Mississippi River" before it reached Broadway?
- ... that Bdóte, an area of sacred significance to the Dakota people, centered on the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, was also the site of their forced exile from Minnesota?
- ... that the founder of a Mississippi radio station compared selling advertising time to campaigning for political office?
Related portals
General images -
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A proposed route for the de Soto Expedition, based on Charles M. Hudson map of 1997 (from History of Mississippi) -
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Battle of Brice's Crossroads (from History of Mississippi) -
A Choctaw family in traditional clothing in 1908 (from Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Newton Knight, Unionist leader of "The Free State of Jones" in Jones County, Mississippi (from History of Mississippi) -
Confederate lines, Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. Shows assault by US 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry (from History of Mississippi) -
Biloxi streetcar, early 20th century (from History of Mississippi) -
Mississippi map from Indian Land Cessions in the United States (1899) by Charles C. Royce (from History of Mississippi) -
Before 1945, times were good when the price of cotton was above 20 cents. (from History of Mississippi) -
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From left to right, Chief Wesley Johnson, Thomas B. Sullivan, Culberson Davis, James E. Arnold, and Emil John. (from Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Location of Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation (from Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Mt. Zion Church state history marker near Philadelphia, Mississippi (from Freedom Summer) -
Map of Old Choctaw country in Mississippi before removal. (from Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Wisconsin Historical Society archivists described this as "a moving letter fragment by Lipsky (?) describing the violence that is the essence of Mississippi to him"; this letter was probably written by Michael Lipsky, who was assigned to the Freedom House at Holly Springs (from Freedom Summer) -
The legislature of the State of Mississippi in 1890 (from History of Mississippi) -
Group of Mississippi Choctaw males in the late 50s or early 60s. Photograph by Bob Ferguson. (from Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
A poster showing the members of the 1890 Mississippian state constitutional convention. The members were overwhelmingly white Democrats; the only black member was a man who was allowed into the convention for his willingness to support black disenfranchisement. (from History of Mississippi)
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Selected picture -
View of the University of Mississippi high definition display at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Mississippi topics
Topics: Constitution - Supreme Court - History - Music
Regions: Golden Triangle - Mississippi Plain - Mississippi Delta - Mississippi Gulf Coast - Natchez District - Pine Belt - Tennessee Valley
Cities: Biloxi - Clarksdale - Clinton - Columbus - Greenville - Gulfport - Hattiesburg - Jackson - Meridian - Olive Branch - Pascagoula - Pearl - Ridgeland - Southaven - Starkville - Tupelo - Vicksburg
Geography: Rivers - Lakes - Mountains - National forests - Islands - Wilderness areas - Natural disasters - Parks - State Parks
Industries: Agriculture - Oil
CDPs: Byram - Diamondhead - Kiln - Lyman - Pearlington - Saucier - Shoreline Park - West Hattiesburg
Metros: Gulfport‑Biloxi - Hattiesburg - Jackson - Memphis - Pascagoula
Statistics: Population
Lists: Mississippi-related lists
Categories
State symbols
| Nickname | The Magnolia State |
|---|---|
| Motto | Virtute et armis (Latin) transl. By Valor and Arms |
| Flower | Magnolia |
| Rock | Petrified wood |
| Toy | Teddy bear |
| Other | Mississippi Symbols for more |
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Web resources
| Official State of Mississippi website |
- Mississippi Governor
- Mississippi Lieutenant Governor
- Mississippi Attorney General
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- Mississippi State Auditor
- Mississippi State Treasurer
- Mississippi State Insurance Commissioner
- Mississippi State Supreme Court
- Mississippi State Legislature
- U.S. Census Bureau Mississippi Data
- USDA Mississippi Statistical Facts
- USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Mississippi
