Because space shuttle engines are tested at Mississippi’s John C. Stennis Space Center, it has been said that "you cannot go to the moon without first stopping in Mississippi." Well, as it turns out, there are a lot of other Mississippi facts and first to attribute to our great state. Paving the way for the rest of the world, Mississippi has been the first at a ton of things. So, check out the 13 fun facts about Mississippi that are listed below. They'll make you love your Magnolia State roots that much more.

1. Uniting Parents and Teachers

In 1909, the first chapter of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded in Mississippi.

2. And, on the Subject of Education...

As far as educational firsts, Mississippi is responsible for several. It was not only the first state in the nation to establish a state-funded college for women, but it was also the first state to have a planned system of junior colleges. Additionally, Mississippi was the first state in the Mississippi Territory to launch a preparatory school.

3. A Little “Corn-y”

Originally known as the "Corn Club," the 4-H Club was started in Holmes County, Mississippi in the early 1900s.

4. It’s a Knock-Out

The world’s first modern heavyweight championship fight took place in Mississippi City, Mississippi. The term "knock-out" was actually coined during the fight when, after eight rounds, John L. Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan.

5. Equality for Women

In 1839, Mississippi was the first state to establish laws that protected the property rights of married women.

6. Bottled Up

Mississippi was the first state to bottle two important products. Coca-Cola was first bottled in the city of Vicksburg while the first bottle of Dr. Tichener’s anti-septic was made in Liberty.

7. Winning the Space Race

Davis Planetarium of Jackson, Mississippi was the first organization to make a movie in space, even beating out the multi-million dollar corporation IMAX. Premiering in 1985, "The Space Shuttle: An American Adventure," eventually won a gold medal in an international film competition.

8. Extra, Extra… Read All About It!

A Mississippian by the name of W.A. Scott started the nation’s first African-American newspaper, "The Atlanta Daily World."

9. “Levee-ing” the Way

In 1860, the nation’s first levee system, which spanned hundreds of miles, was built along the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River.

10. Eat Your Wheaties

Many great athletes have been featured on the famous Wheaties box, but the first football player to be featured was Columbia’s very own Walter Payton.

11. Two-of-a-Kind

It seems as if selling shoes in boxes by the pair would be a common concept, but it actually didn’t come about until 1884 when Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor of Vicksburg, Mississippi started doing so.

12. An Apple a Day…

The University of Mississippi Medical Center accomplished two world firsts. In 1963, the first human lung transplant was performed followed a year later by the first heart transplant.

13. Where Flowers Healed a Nation

The concept of Memorial Day came about when, in 1866, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in Columbus’ Friendship Cemetery. This kind act struck the hearts of the nation and eventually came to be known as the annually observed national holiday.

Were you surprised by any of these fun facts about Mississippi? Can you think of any other things MS did first to add to the list? If so, please feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

There are also some fun things about Mississippi that are so quirky they sound made up.