How many people did really well in History class in school? Come on...raise your hand! That many huh? Okay, so history may not have been everyone's forte' in school. It may not have been your favorite subject. In fact, you may have slept through a few classes, but that doesn't mean that it's not interesting. It just means that it was handed to you in a way that didn't make you interested and that's too bad. South Carolina has a lot of really interesting history and I'm not talking about your regular run-of-the-mill stuff, oh no, I'm talking stuff that will make you want to hit the super highway for a research bash the likes you've never done before and you'll be happy about it! So, to get that rush going for you I have found 15 things about South Carolina history you may or may not know and if you do know them than you may want to find out more about it. Here we go!

1. Iodine

Before South Carolina was known as the Palmetto State, it was known as the Iodine State. So much so, that it was emblazoned on everything just as you now see palmettos on everything. Can you see it now? We could have bottles of Iodine on everything we wear and use instead of Palmetto trees....Hmmmm

2. McCormick Gold

The second richest vein of gold found in South Carolina was done so in February 1852 by William Burkhalter Dorn. Where you might ask?Well, today you would call the site the town of McCormick.

3. Ancient Humans

How many of you thought that South Carolina was "empty" before it was discovered and Charles Town blossomed overnight? Well, if you did I'm sure you weren't the only one and I'm sure some of you will say, "I knew that there were Indian tribes here before Europeans". However, did you know that humans inhabited South Carolina 15,000 years ago.

4. Palmetto Walls

Did you think Palmetto trees were only good for landscaping? How about the role palmetto trees played in saving a fort and a lot of lives? Say What??? Yes Sir! Fort Moultrie's walls were made of the spongy wood and because of that the British cannonballs just bounced right off of. Talk about happy accidents.

5. Articles of Confederation

South Carolina was the first in line for a lot of things. That's not a secret, but did you know that South Carolina was the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation?

6. Native Peoples

Before the Europeans came to South Carolina and started owning everything under the sun, there were more than 30 different tribes of American Indians. The largest tribes that lived here were the Cherokee, Catawba, and the Yemassee.

7. Spanish Hogs

Who likes to hunt wild hogs? Who believes that they are the biggest nuisance ever? Who knows where they came from? I can tell you! Wild hogs were originally brought here by the Spanish in the 1500s. They spread tree disease and make reforestation a difficult project.

8. First Library

Do you love to read? I love to read and I know many others who do as well. Obviously, the people in South Carolina loved to read. The first public library in the United States was build in South Carolina in 1698! I guess that they really needed something to take them out of the marshes and into paradise just as it says above.

9. Boll Weevil Devastation

How many of you know what that bug is? I can bet that there are a few of you out there who can name it but for those who can't...it is a boll weevil. How can something so tiny cause so much devastation? Boll weevils swept across the south from Texas in the early 20th century. They devoured crops in South Carolina and left such a mark that the first boll weevil found is on display at the Pendleton District Agricultural Museum.

10. First Blue Cheese in the South

Do you love that tangy taste of blue cheese? Can't get enough of it? Well, I can't tell you that it was all made in South Carolina, however, I can tell you that because of Stumphouse Tunnel, Clemson University was able to make Blue Mold Cheese for the first time in the south.

11. Patron Saint of Camden

Early settlers had a friend waiting on them when they arrived. King Haiger, a Catawba Indian helped them settle in. He is now known as the "Patron Saint of Camden" and his figure is on a weather vane that tops the tower of what was the opera house in 1886.

12. Historic Columbia

The capital of South Carolina, Columbia, was named for (you guessed it) Christopher Columbus and is 100 years older than the United States itself.

13. King Charles I

How many of you knew that South Carolina was named for King Charles I? How many of you wondered how that translated into Carolina? Okay, well here's the skinny on that. Apparently, the Carolina part of SC comes from the Latin "Carolinus" which means "of Charles". So, to recap that it was: King Charles > Carolinus > Carolina.

14. Hilton Head

Everyone knows about the island of Hilton Head. Some of us have even vacationed there, but do you know how it received its name? The story is: In 1663, this island was found by Captain William Hilton who decided that it was a grand idea to name the island after himself! Why not? If I found an island and it was unnamed I just might name it after myself as well. Wouldn't you?

15. Ancient Dunes

Did you know that there are sandhills in the middle of the state? Yeah, I really didn't think that was a huge surprise there, but this might be. Those very sandhills are actually very ancient dunes and denotes the original coast of South Carolina the way it was 20 million years ago! Can you imagine what may be in that region?

I don't know about you, but I thought these facts about South Carolina history were pretty interesting and research-worthy. And, in the scope of it all these really just scratch the surface of the amazing history that has shaped what we know as the state of South Carolina. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I really enjoyed putting this together for you. If you have any interesting facts about South Carolina history that you would like to share, please do so because in the comments below!