The state of Alabama is known for many things such as its award-winning college football teams, its historical role during the Civil Rights Movement, and (of course) its delicious Southern food. In addition to these things, there are 10 things Alabama is known for doing first and I’ve listed them below.

1. Saturn V, the rocket that sent the first Americans to the moon on July 20, 1969, was designed and built in Huntsville at Marshall Space Flight Center.
wikipedia
2. In 1902, Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill performed the first open heart surgery in the Western Hemisphere. This surgery took place in Montgomery.
wikimedia commons
3. In 1836, Alabama was the first U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday. Because of Alabama, federal workers were able to enjoy Christmas Day with their families, while still getting paid.
wikimedia commons
4. In 1995, Alabama produced the first Miss America (Heather Whitestone) with a disability.
facebook/Heather Whitestone
5. On February 16, 1968, the first-ever 911 call was made in Haleyville.
wikipedia

Related Stories

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Luxurious Rural Airbnb In Alabama

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Luxurious Rural Airbnb In Alabama

 I Found A New Favorite Dish At This Chic New Restaurant In A Small Alabama Town

I Found A New Favorite Dish At This Chic New Restaurant In A Small Alabama Town

 The Incredible 1845 Plantation On The Alabama River That Has Been Left In Ruins

The Incredible 1845 Plantation On The Alabama River That Has Been Left In Ruins
6. In 1886, Montgomery introduced the world's first electric trolley system.
wikipedia
7. Alabama was the first and only U.S. state (so far) to declare an alcoholic beverage as its official state drink. Alabama's official state drink is Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.
pixabay/kaicho20
8. In 1863, Alabama built the H.L. Hunley - the very first submarine in history to sink a warship. The construction of this submarine took place in Mobile.
flickr/Andrew Kalat
9. In 1703, the first “official” Mardi Gras celebration in the New World occurred in Mobile.
wikimedia commons
10. In 1941, Alabama produced America's first African-American military pilots who fought in World War II. These dedicated pilots became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
wikipedia

Did any of these 10 things surprise you? What else is Alabama known for doing first? Let me know in the comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles