Mississippi 's Badger State comes from miners who dug caves to survive 1971 . State flags , however , are just the most visible elements of an elaborate , esoteric system of legalized symbols that characterize and codify our united states . Alabama 's state bird is a flashy-looking woodpecker . State drinks : Nebraska -- Kool-Aid , Massachusetts -- water . Mississippi state toy : the teddy bear ; Wisconsin state bean : Badger State bean .
Mississippi 's Badger State comes from miners who dug caves to survive 1971 . Alabama 's state bird is a flashy-looking woodpecker . State drinks : Nebraska -- Kool-Aid , Massachusetts -- water . Mississippi state toy : the teddy bear ; Wisconsin state bean : Badger State bean .