Discover Virginia Like Never Before!
Get ready for a fun-filled journey into some of the lesser-known corners of Virginia! Each state has its quirks and hidden treasures, and Virginia is no different. We've dug up 12 weird and wonderful facts about Virginia that are sure to surprise you. Let's get into it!
- Residents of Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay possess a distinctive English accent. Their manner of speech is a version of the accent inherited from their early British colonist ancestors, which has evolved into its unique form. This is one of the last places in America where a form of this accent still exists, likely due to the island's isolation, although it may be fading away.
- The world's biggest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, is located in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Virginia's state flower is the American Dogwood. The beautiful blossoms, often a greenish-white, are found in the springtime. The American Dogwood is also Virginia's state tree.
- Milk became the state beverage of Virginia In 1982. As of 2017, whiskey is also recognized as one of Virginia's state beverages, specifically, George Washington's rye whiskey as the state spirit.
- The first peanuts grown in America were planted in Virginia.
- Virginia got its name from Queen Elizabeth I, "The Virgin Queen" of England.
- The world's oldest ham is displayed at the Isle of Wight County Museum in Smithfield, Virginia. The ham, over 120 years old, was cured in 1902.
- The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial (a mammal with a pouch) native to the United States.
- Virginia is the birthplace of eight former U.S. presidents, adding to its historical significance and political legacy. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
- Virginia has about 16 million acres of forests, equating to around 60% of the state. It's one of the top ten most heavily forested states in the country.
- The state's motto is "Sic semper tyrannis," which means "Thus always to tyrants." The same phrase John Wilkes Booth yelled after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln.
- Virginia has a State Folk Dance, which is the square dance. It was declared the official state dance in 1991.
So, next time you find yourself in Virginia, remember these unique facts! Embrace the quirks, sip some George Washington's rye whiskey in the forest, and don't forget to do a square dance. Stay curious, keep exploring, and you'll be amazed at what you discover!
