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Presidents: Virginia 8, Hawaii 1, 29 others ... zilch

When it comes to birthing presidents, Virginia is still the queen mother, with eight. Yeah, we’re in a bit of a dry spell – our last was number 28, Woodrow Wilson – but still. Ohio is still one behind at seven.

But we’re spoiled that way. Giving a president to the union is still a rare privilege – so rare that more than half of the states in our union have yet to achieve it.

We added a new one to the list just yesterday, and it was the relatively new kid on the block: Hawaii. Barack Obama might hail from the Land of Lincoln (who, by the way, was born in Kentucky, not Illinois) but he was born in the 50th state.

I wonder if that gives folks in states who haven’t made the list yet – Wisconsin, Wyoming, Oregon, Mississippi, Louisiana, the Dakotas, Alabama, and 21 more – any feeling of inferiority.

No offense to Hawaii, but it’s the territorial equivalent of an expansion team.

I mean, what if you’re from Rhode Island? You’re one of the thirteen original colonies, right next door to Massachusetts, birthplace of four presidents, and one of the cradles of our great nation, and Hawaii makes the list before you.

It must be a bit like being a Cubs fan and seeing the expansion Florida Marlins collect a World Series title after a couple of years in the league.

But don’t lose heart, Rhode Island, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, and others.

You get another at bat every four years.

Here's the tally:

Virginia

8

Ohio

7

Massachusetts

4

New York

4

North Carolina

2

New Jersey

2

Texas

2

Vermont

2

Arkansas

1

California

1

Connecticut

1

Georgia

1

Illinois

1

Iowa

1

Kentucky

1

Missouri

1

Nebraska

1

New Hampshire

1

Pennsylvania

1

South Carolina

1

Hawaii

1

3 Comments »

  1. I noticed these square boxes on the left.

    Comment by Nelson — January 26, 2009 @ 4:42 am

  2. There must be a way for us to change them in to a sports-related box.

    Comment by Nelson — January 26, 2009 @ 4:43 am

  3. I'm just testing. Yes. Virginia has produced a lot of presidents. Not many ACC basketball champions however. Just one.

    Comment by Nelson — January 26, 2009 @ 4:44 am

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