80 Nebraska Facts And Weird Laws

By Sabrina E.
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Nebraska Facts

Nebraska boasts impressive natural attractions and vibrant cities. Many people overlook this state, not knowing how unique its landscape is. The scenic sandhills and Chimney Rock are places you can visit in Nebraska.

You can visit the various cultural and historic centers to appreciate this state’s history and culture. The University of Nebraska State Museum is one of the top tourist destinations in Nebraska State.

We have compiled a list of interesting facts about Nebraska that you may want to know. 

Best Fun Facts About Nebraska

  1. Nebraska has the world’s largest hand-planted forest.
  2. Nebraska is home to its version of the Stonehenge in England called Carhenge.
  3. Nebraska is the birthplace of Reuben Sandwiches.
  4. Nebraska is home to the world’s largest mammoth fossil.
  5. The world’s first Kool-Aid was created in Nebraska.

Nebraska Facts—Politics And Government 

  1. In terms of statewide politics, Nebraska is not competitive. It is a safe Republican state. 
  2. Nebraska is the only state other than Maine to allocate its electoral votes by congressional districts. A candidate gets an electoral vote for each congressional district won. The overall state winner receives an additional two votes.
  3. Even though Nebraska is entirely red, Nebraska’s second district is considered a battleground state (2020 elections).
  4. In the 2020 presidential election, the second district was more Democratic than the entire state.
  5. Did you know Maine and Nebraska split their electoral votes for the first time together in the 2020 elections?
  6. Nebraska adopted its Constitution, the Nebraska Constitution, in 1875.
  7. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Nebraska government. The current governor is a Republican, Pete Ricketts. 
  8. The officials elected to the executive serve for four years, including the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and state auditor.
  9. Did you know that Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature? The members of this legislature often refer to themselves as senators.
  10. The Nebraska legislature is also the only state nonpartisan legislature in the United States.
  11. Nebraska is one of the states that doesn’t need a two-thirds majority in the legislature to override a governor’s veto. A three-fifth majority in the Nebraska legislature is enough to override the governor’s veto.
  12. The legislature holds its meetings in downtown Lincoln’s Nebraska State Capitol building.
  13. The Nebraska Supreme Court is the top court in the state’s judicial system. The Court of Appeals is the state’s final court of appeal.
  14. Nebraska selects judges by the Merit Plan, famous as the Missouri plan.

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Nebraska Facts—History

Lincoln, Nebraska State Capitol. Credits: Unsplash
  1. The name Nebraska originated from Native American words for “flat water.”
  2. The indigenous people were the first to inhabit this region, now known as Nebraska. These Native American tribes included the Missouria, Omaha, Ponca, Sioux, Pawnee, and Otoe.
  3. Most historic trails pass through this state, including the Lewis and Clark expedition.
  4. Spain, Britain, and France controlled present-day Nebraska. 
  5. Nebraska was originally part of the Louisiana territory that France surrendered to the British after the French and Indian War. 
  6. The Spanish, led by James Mackay, founded Nebraska’s first European settlement.
  7. Fort Atkinson was the US’s first army post east of the Missouri River.
  8. The Nebraska territory comprised Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado.
  9. Omaha was the territorial capital of Nebraska. 
  10. The US government removed the Native Americans from Nebraska to the reservations in present-day Oklahoma.
  11. The federal government allowed settlers to claim the land left by the Native Americans.
  12. Nebraska gained admission to the Union in 1867, becoming the 37th state to join.
  13. Named after Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln is the capital city of Nebraska state.
  14. The Japanese bombed Omaha during the second world war. 
  15. Twenty-two Nebraskans died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

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Nebraska Facts—Geography

Western Nebraska
  1. Nebraska is the only state in the nation that is triple landlocked. You must travel through at least three states to reach a bay or ocean.
  2. Nebraska, also known as the cornhusker state, is the 16th largest state, with 77,358 square miles. Water makes up 0.7% of the total area.
  3. This Midwestern state shares its borders with Wyoming, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.
  4. Missouri River forms the state’s eastern and southeastern border.
  5. The Cornhusker state has 93 counties, observing two time zones–the Mountain Time and the Central Time.
  6. Three rivers pass through the state. They include the Platte River (Central Nebraska), Niobrara River (Northern Nebraska), and Republican River (Southern Nebraska).
  7. Nebraska consists of Great Plains and Dissected Till Plains. 
  8. The Great Plains occupying Western Nebraska include high plains, sandhills, rainwater basins, and pine ridge.
  9. The eastern region, composed of gently rolling hills, is home to Lincoln and Omaha.

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Credits: Unsplash@ Brandon
  1. Panorama Point is the state’s highest point at 5,424 feet. 
  2. Nebraska was known where the west begins because of the red brick star ( intersection of O and 13th Street, Location), Missouri River, Chimney Rock, and 100th Meridian.
  3. Precipitation and temperature vary widely throughout the state. The panhandle experiences a semi-arid climate.
  4. Nebraska is vulnerable to adverse weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. This state’s location in Tornado Alley makes it one of the most hit by tornadoes.
  5. Nebraska is home to over 1,000 lakes. Lake McConaughy is the largest and deepest in the state.
  6. Travelers on the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails still use Chimney Rock.

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Nebraska Facts—Animals And Plants

  1. Nebraska has several habitats, including prairie grasslands, forests, and wetlands.
  2. Rodents make up nearly half of Nebraska’s mammals.
  3. The state is home to more than 565 mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Fort Robinson Lodge. Credits: Unsplash
  1. The native carnivores include gray wolves, coyotes, black bears, foxes, lynx, brown bears, and skunks. Other animals are elk, bison, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.
  2. The state bird of Nebraska is the western meadowlark.
  3. The endangered animal species in this state include the black-footed ferret and little brown bat.
  4.  The Tree Planter’s state is home to one of the nation’s strange animals, the armored nine-banded armadillo.
  5. Nebraska is home to the Porcupine, the second-biggest rodent in the country. Only the American beaver is bigger than the Porcupine.
  6. Eagles and Sandhill cranes are some birds you will find in this state.
  7. The state’s plants include the fragrant sand verbena, box elder, white yarrow, sweet flag, white baneberry, northern maidenhair fern, and Ohio buckeye.
  8. The state symbols for plants include state grass (little bluestem), state flower (tall goldenrod), and state tree (eastern cottonwood).
  9. Nebraska National Forest is the US’s largest hand-planted forest.

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Nebraska Facts—Demographics

  1. Nebraska is the 37th most populous state with over 1,961,504 people.
  2. Nebraska ranks 43rd in the nation in terms of population density –23 people per square mile.
  3.  Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, and Nebraska City are some of the cities in the Cornhusker state.
The city of Henderson. Credits: Unsplash@Taylor
  1. Omaha is the only city in Nebraska with a population of over 300,000. Lincoln’s population of over 250,000 is the second largest in the state.
  2. The median age of the Nebraska population is 36 years. 
  3.  Seventy-five percent of the Nebraska population are Christians.
  4. Over 87% of the state’s population consists of whites.
  5. The gold rush contributed to the state’s population growth.
  6. More than 88% of Nebraskans use the English language for communication.
  7. Approximately 27% of Natives live below the poverty line.
  8. Maskell is home to the smallest city hall in the United States. 

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Nebraska Facts—Economy

  1. Nebraska ranked 17th in long-term fiscal stability with its key attributes being natural environment(6), infrastructure(6) and education(9).
  2. Agriculture is one of the major industries in Nebraska. Agricultural products include soybeans, hogs, cattle, and wheat.
Agriculture in Nebraska. Credits: Unsplash@Taylor
  1. Food processing (especially beef production) is the largest industry in the Cornhusker state.
  2. Nebraska’s manufacturing industries produce transportation equipment, electrical machinery, and metals.
  3. Lincoln and Omaha have Telecommunications and insurance industries.
  4. Nebraska is home to the center of the cold war Strategic Air Command, the Offutt Air Force Base.
  5. Nebraska is the birth of the Reuben Sandwich. Reuben Kulakofsky, a Lithuanian grocer, invented the sandwich in Omaha.
  6. The state is home to many refugees from war-torn countries.
  7. Did you know that during matches, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football stadium is the third most populous place in the state after Lincoln and Omaha?
  8. Nebraska is home to the Kool-Aid drink. Edwin Perkins invented the drink in Hastings.
  9.  Nebraska is home to the largest stamp ball in the world.
  10. Omaha’s 3000 ft bridge links Nebraska and Iowa.
  11. Nebraska is home to the US’s 911 emergency system.

Famous Locations in Nebraska

  1. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium houses the world’s largest indoor jungle, nocturnal exhibit, and indoor desert.
  2. Old Market located in Omaha, Nebraska, allows you to experience Omaha in the old days at the Durham Museum.
  3. Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland is a place for lovers of aviation technology. 
  4. Chimney Rock National Historic Site is the perfect place to feel the old days when pioneers visited the state.
Chimney Rock. Credits: Unsplash
  1. Haymarket District, located in Lincoln, is a great place to visit. It has nice-looking buildings and lively restaurants.
  2. Scotts Bluff National Monument was an essential landmark for the Native Americans and the travelers In the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and California Trail. The monument is the most often mentioned landmark in the state other than Chimney Rock.
  3. Golden Spike Tower in North Platte offers an aerial view of the most extensive rail yard globally, the Bailey Yard.
  4. Indian Cave State Park near Brownville lies on the Missouri River banks. 
  5. Carhenge is Nebraska’s version of Stonehenge. Unlike England’s Stonehenge, the one in Nebraska consists of automobiles.
  6. Sandhill Crane Migration is a beautiful sight in Nebraska. 

Famous People From Nebraska

  • Clayton Anderson, the astronaut, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Warren Buffett, the businessman & philanthropist, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Dick Cheney, ex-US Vice President, was born in Lincoln.
  • Swoosie Kurtz, the actress, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Andy Roddick, the renowned Tennis player, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Nicholas Sparks, author & screenwriter, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

Common Misconceptions About Nebraska

Let’s set the record straight on many people’s misleading beliefs about Nebraska.

Nebraska land is barren and flat.

Nebraska has a beautiful landscape with fertile soil. Agriculture is key to Nebraska’s economy.

Nebraskans are uneducated.

This state is home to some of the innovative minds in the country.

Nebraska is boring.

No, there is a fun activity for everyone in this state all the time.

Nebraska has no trees. 

Other than having the nation’s largest human-planted forest, Nebraska has a day to celebrate trees–Arbor day.

Top 10 Weird Nebraska Laws

Here are our top 10 weird Nebraska laws. Read the Craziest Laws in the United States, if you want more.

  1. You need a state license before giving your daughter a perm if you are her mother.
  2. It’s illegal to sell doughnut holes in Lehigh.
  3. In Waterloo, barbers shouldn’t eat onions from 7 am to 9 pm.
  4. You risk arrest if your child cannot hold back a burp during church service.
  5. Whale fishing is illegal in Nebraska. 
  6. You may not marry if you have gonorrhea.
  7. Sneezing during a church service may land you in trouble.
  8. Bar owners should not sell beers unless they brew a kettle of soup.
  9. You shouldn’t think of flying a plane when you are drunk.
  10. You may not want to shave your chest if you are a man. It’s illegal to run around in a shaved chest.
Image: Unsplash

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of activities and places to visit in Nebraska. We brought you a compilation of interesting facts about Nebraska, ranging from the state’s history, geography to some of the famous people born in this state.

What is the most interesting fact about Nebraska that you know?

Nebraska Facts And Stats

CapitalLincoln 
Population2020 (6,975,218)
GovernorPete Ricketts (Republican Party)
Date Of AdmissionMarch 1, 1867
U.S. SenatorsDeb Fischer(R)
Ben Sasse(R)
US House of Representatives3 (of 435 Seats) 
State NicknameCornhusker State
State MottoEquality Before The Law
State Song“Beautiful Nebraska” by Jim Fras and Guy G. Miller
State FlowerSolidago
State FishChannel Catfish
State BirdWestern Meadowlark
State TreeEastern Cottonwood
State MammalWhite-tailed deer
State DrinkKool-Aid 
State RockPrairie Agate 
State GemBlue Chalcedony
State FossilMammoth
Neighbor StatesColorado Iowa Kansas Missouri South Dakota Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nebraska famous for?

  • Platte River.
  • Stuhr Museum.
  • Chimney rock
  • 911 emergency system and other inventions.
  • Warren Buffett.

What are the 5 interesting facts about Nebraska? 

  1. Kool-Aid was invented in Nebraska.
  2. Lincoln County was home to the largest mammoth fossil.
  3. Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska is home to the largest indoor rainforest in the country.
  4. Nebraska has a lighthouse in Ashland, even though it’s at least three states away from the ocean.
  5. Nebraska is the birthplace of Arbor Day–the day when residents plant trees in the state. Residents of Nebraska planted over one million trees on the first day of the celebration in 1872.

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References

[1] https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/topics/us-states/nebraska

[2] https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/attractions/nebraska.php

[3] https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nebraska

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Editor
Sabrina E.
Sabrina is a former campaign manager who has decided to focus her effort to help people contact senators and get help. She leads our Editorial Team with Ronald and Lawrence to curate content and resources that help us navigate the system.

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