Mississippi became the 20th state of the Union on December 10, 1817! It’s named after the Anishinaabe name for the Misi-ziibi, or Great River, but you can also call it The Magnolia State! Its capital and largest city is Jackson! Mississippi’s state motto is “Virtute et Armis,” which means “By valor and arms!” This state is famous for its namesake river, its Delta Blues, Elvis Presley, Kermit the Frog, plantations and cotton, and the Battle of Vicksburg that helped decide the Civil War!