Welcome to the Show-Me State, where the barbecue is smoky, the Gateway Arch is iconic, and the blues are deep. Missouri is a state full of surprises and fascinating tales, from the home of Mark Twain to the site of the Dred Scott case. Whether you’re a fan of sports, music, or just quirky trivia, there’s something for everyone in Missouri. So, grab a plate of barbecue and get ready to discover 25 amazing Missouri facts that will make you say, “Well, how ’bout that?”
1-5 Fun Facts About Missouri
1. Missouri is the 21st largest state in the US, sprawling across an impressive 69,709 square miles (that’s 180,546 square kilometers for the metric-minded!).
2. To put that in perspective, it’s roughly the same size as Cambodia!
3. When it comes to hospitality, Missourians are the real deal. They’re often cited as some of the friendliest folks in the country. So don’t be surprised if you get a warm welcome from a stranger while you’re there!
4. Despite featuring two fierce grizzly bears on its state arms, Missouri has grizzly bears.
5. Missouri’s official motto is “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.”
6-10 Interesting Facts About Missouri
6. Agriculture plays a huge role in Missouri’s economy, with over 10,000 farms occupying a whopping 66% of the state’s total land area.
7. More than half of Missouri’s population resides in the dynamic duo of Kansas City and St. Louis.
8. Kansas City may not be as famous as Rome, but it’s got one thing in common: fountains, fountains, and more fountains! With over 200 of them scattered throughout the city, Kansas City is sometimes even called “The City of Fountains.”
9. Kansas City has more barbeque restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States.
10. Famous Missourians include Mark Twain, Brad Pitt, Harry Truman, Doris Roberts, Jon Goodman, Sheryl Crow, and Eminem.
Read More: 30 Godly Eminem Facts That Every Fans Should Know
11-15 Insane Facts About Missouri
11. But it’s not just celebrities who call Missouri home – it’s also been a breeding ground for scientific genius. Four Nobel Prize winners hail from the state, including Roger D. Kornberg, Jack Kilby, Steven Chu, and T.S Eliot.
12. Of course, with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies, Missouri has its fair share of strange laws. Did you know that if you’re under 21 and caught taking out the trash with even a single empty beer can, you could be charged with illegal possession?
13. And watch out – it’s also against the law to frighten a baby
14. Throwing hard objects by hand is a violation of the law in Missouri, so be sure to keep those snowballs soft.
15. But Missouri hasn’t always been a bastion of progressiveness. Before 1866, it was illegal to educate people of color in the state.
16-20 Surprising Facts About Missouri
16. However, a teacher named Reverend John Berry Meachum, took his students out on a boat in the middle of the Mississippi River to teach them in secret.
17. The law implemented in 1820 mandates that individuals who are male, unmarried, and fall between the ages of twenty-one and fifty are required to pay an annual tax of one dollar.
18. It is illegal to provide elephants with beer or any other alcoholic beverages in Natchez, Missouri.
Read More: 20 Interesting Facts About Elephants That Will Amaze You
19. The state of Missouri prohibits women from wearing corsets.
20. Motorists in Missouri are obligated to obtain a permit if they intend to shave while operating a vehicle.
21-25 Awesome Facts About Missouri
21. In University City, Missouri, it is considered illegal to honk another person’s car horn.
22. Disturbing squirrels is against the law in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
23. The state is home to the largest beer-producing plant in the United States, and the iconic Budweiser beer is made by the Anheuser-Busch company in St. Louis.
Read More: 15 Shocking Facts About Beer That Will Make Your Head Dizzy
24. While Missouri may have had some strange laws in the past, it’s also a state with a history of progress. In fact, in 1865, Missouri became the first slave state to free its slaves, paving the way for greater equality and freedom for all.
25. In 1911, a lightning strike on Missouri State Capitol that resulted in a fire destroyed the building completely.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 25 Interesting Missouri Facts For Kids.
