On Dec. 10, 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state admitted to the United States.
Created by Congress in 1798, the Mississippi Territory followed a long and complex colonial history and included lands long home to Native Nations, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw peoples. With fertile soil and access to major waterways, the region became central to the rise of cotton as a dominant cash crop. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation’s leading cotton-producing state.
After the Civil War, much of the Mississippi Delta’s bottomland remained undeveloped, drawing Black and white migrants who cleared timber, worked the land and pursued the chance to own farms. For many who fulfilled that dream, landownership proved difficult to sustain as debt, falling cotton prices and discriminatory credit practices made it increasingly difficult for small farmers to hold onto their property.
Today, Mississippi is known for its many distinct regions, each of which “takes on a different flavor” depending on where you are, said Mississippi Sen. Rod Hickman, who represents the 32nd District and is a 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellow.
“The Delta region is known for its music and food and for producing a lot of things,” Hickman said. “The Gulf Coast takes a lot of its flavor from New Orleans and Mobile. The Central region comprises the city of Jackson, and that’s our metropolis. And then there’s our Northern region, which borders Memphis and takes a lot of its cues from that city.”
One of Mississippi’s most notable claims to fame is its musical heritage. The state is widely credited as the birthplace of the blues and has left a lasting imprint on several other genres, including rock ’n’ roll, country and gospel.
“Our musical heritage, per capita, is second to none,” Hickman said. “Just consider all the musical talent that’s come from Mississippi: Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and the list goes on and on. We even had a recent winner of American Idol — Jamal Roberts from Meridian — who won Season 23.”
In the Delta region, Clarksdale is celebrated as the “Birthplace of the Blues.” It’s home to the Crossroads — the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 — where legend has it that bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to master the guitar. Not far down the road, near Cleveland, sits Dockery Farms, widely regarded as one of the cradles of the Delta blues sound thanks to the legendary musicians who worked and played there, including Johnson, Charley Patton and Howlin’ Wolf, among others.
Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” whose legacy lives on through the city’s annual Elvis festival each summer. And Meridian was home to Jimmie Rodgers, who is regarded as the “Father of Country Music,” in part for his distinctive yodeling that became a hallmark of his lonesome sound.
Mississippi’s musical prowess, Hickman said, stems in many ways from the state’s deep religious ties.
“Mississippi’s impact on gospel and the blues goes hand-in-hand because so many of our state’s most famous musicians and blues singers got their start in the church,” Hickman said. “And the church, particularly in Black communities, wasn’t just for respite; it was a resource for those communities. It’s where you went for just about everything, usually three or four times a week. As a result, the church has had a profound effect on the culture all around us.”
Another state standout is its soul food, including staples such as fried chicken and catfish, shrimp and grits, cornbread, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. Food in Mississippi, Hickman said, does more than just satisfy the stomach.
“Food is an art form in Mississippi because it’s comforting and brings people together,” Hickman said. “And a little-known fact about Mississippi is we have the best gas station food in the world.”
Another culinary tradition, influenced by neighboring New Orleans, is Mississippi’s fondness for the po’ boy — a type of sandwich known for its crusty French bread and signature ingredients, commonly fried seafood or hot roast beef with gravy.
Mississippi also has deep ties to several famous artists, athletes, entertainers and writers. Some of the nation’s most celebrated writers, including William Faulkner, John Grisham and Tennessee Williams, have roots in the state. Other stars with Mississippi ties include television personalities Oprah Winfrey and Robin Roberts; actors Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones; and professional football icons Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, and Archie and Eli Manning.
“We certainly have no shortage of celebrities and sports personalities from Mississippi,” Hickman said. “We always root for our people, so we’re proud of anyone from our state who goes on to do great things.”