Why is Missouri Known as the Show Me State?
Missouri is a Midwestern American state that is bordered by Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Ozarks, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. It is the eighteenth most populated American state with a population of about 6 million. The state is named after the Missouri River which flows through Missouri into the Mississippi River.
Missouri was the twenty-fourth American to gain statehood on August 10, 1821. Just like all American states, Missouri has various state symbols, including state flower, animal, and a state nickname. Missouri has no official state nicknames; however, its most popular nickname is the 鈥樷�橲how-me State鈥欌�� which is indicated on Missouri鈥檚 license plates.
Why is Missouri the Show-Me State?
There are numerous legends and tales behind Missouri鈥檚 unofficial nickname; however, the most popular legend is attributed to Congressman Duncan Willard. Willard represented Missouri in the House of Representatives between 1897 and 1903. Congressman Willard is credited for coining the phrase 鈥樷�橲how-me鈥欌�� which he used during a speech he gave in Philadelphia in 1899 while he was a member of the American House Committee of Naval-Affairs. Regardless of whether he coined the phrase or not, his speech helped popularize the slogan. However, numerous researchers claim that the slogan was already being used prior to the 1890s.
Another legend claims that the phrase 鈥樷�橲how-me鈥欌�� originated from Leadville, Colorado. In Leadville, the slogan was used as a phrase of reproach and ridicule. During the mid-1980s, there was a miner鈥檚 strike in Leadville, Colorado. Therefore miners were imported from Missouri to replace the striking miners, and since they were not familiar with the mining techniques, they needed frequent instructions. The bosses of the mines started saying these are miners from Missouri and you will have to show them the mining techniques. The phrase has gained a different meaning, and currently, it refers to the non-credulous, conservative, and strong character of the people of Missouri.
Other Nicknames of Missouri
Other nicknames of this state include 鈥樷�橳he Cave State鈥欌��, 鈥樷�橳he Ozark State鈥欌��, 鈥樷�橳he Bullion State鈥欌��, and 鈥欌�橳he Lead State鈥欌�� among others. Missouri is referred to as 鈥樷�橳he Cave State鈥欌�� because there are over 6,000 caves in this state. Missouri has the second-highest number of caves in the U.S. right behind Tennessee. The County of Perry has the single- biggest cave and the highest number of caves in Missouri.Missouri gained its other nickname 鈥渢he Gateway-to-the-West鈥欌�� during the early 1800s since it was the main departure point for settlers and expeditions traveling to the West in the nineteenth century.
