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.
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2. In 1902, Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill performed the first open heart surgery in the Western Hemisphere. This surgery took place in Montgomery.
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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.
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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.
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6. In 1886, Montgomery introduced the world's first electric trolley system.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Did any of these 10 things surprise you? What else is Alabama known for doing first? Let me know in the comments below!

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