Here in Alabama, there always seems to be something going on. Whether it be a billionaire spending his fortune on replicas of prehistoric creatures to display on his lawn, or the creation of a phone number that can save a life, there’s no telling what will happen next in this great state.

Listed below are eight surprising things that you may or may not know happened right here in Alabama.

1. During the late 1800s, a newspaper was written entirely by patients of Bryce Hospital - an insane asylum in Tuscaloosa.
flickr/Steve Driskell
The newspaper was called "The Meteor," and its original purpose was to explain the operations of the hospital to its patrons. Later, its purpose was to also inform its patrons, state newspaper editors and state legislators of the hospital's conditions.
2. On November 30, 1954, Ann Hodges was struck by a meteorite while napping on her couch. Surprisingly, she survived.
Alabama Museum of Natural History
Ann Hodges is the only confirmed person in history to have ever been struck by a meteorite. This event took place in Oak Grove, near Sylacauga. The meteorite is currently on display in Tuscaloosa at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
3. In 2000, Alabama was the last state to overturn the law that prohibited interracial marriage.
pixabay/1715736
However, 40 percent of Alabamians voted against it.
4. In 1991, George Barber, a billionaire, had seven life-size dinosaurs built as "lawn ornaments." These were randomly placed on his property.
facebook/Elberta Dinosaurs, Bamahenge, Lady in the Lake
In 2011, four of the dinosaurs were relocated to Barber Marina, in Elberta.

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5. In 2014, Alabama had the highest rate of teacher-student sexual relationships (on a per capita basis) than any other state in the nation.
pixabay/PublicDomainPictures
While conducting the study, Terry Abbott, the former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Education, concluded that 25 Alabama educators were accused of having sexual relationships with students.
6. The first 9-1-1 call was made in Alabama.
wikimedia commons/nadbasher
This historic call took place on February 16, 1968 at 2 p.m. in Haleyville.
7. For five-year rights to the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama," the state of Alabama paid Universal Records approximately $75,000 in 2014.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Universal Records owns the trademark phrase, which we're all familiar with as the title of Lynyrd Skynyrd's hit song. The phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" can now be seen on welcome signs across the state.
8. In 1966, Jeremiah Denton, a former U.S. senator from Alabama, blinked the word "torture" in Morse Code on national television to let the U.S. know what was happening to him.
YouTube/luck3148
Mr. Denton was held captive in North Vietnam for seven "long" years.

Were you already familiar with these things? What other things have happened in Alabama that many people may not know?

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