In 1919, the city erected a monument to the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), an insect that arrived in Coffee County in 1915 and destroyed the local cotton crop, which was the main agricultural product of the region. The boll weevil infestation led to a shift away from cotton farming and forced farmers to diversify their crops, ultimately leading to economic improvements for many agricultural communities. The monument in Enterprise commemorates this unexpected turn of events that brought about positive change for the local economy.

The Tree That Owns Itself, an oak estimated to be 200 years old, once stood in the yard of Confederate Capt. John A. Walker. In 1936, after it withstood a tornado and a fire, local women persuaded the town council to deed the property to the tree, giving it full rights over itself and its land. Lt. Gov. Charles S. McDowell drew up a "deed of sentiment" and a fence and marker were erected. In 1961, the Eufaula oak tree was felled by a tornado and was replaced. It is now known as "the son of the Tree That Owns Itself."

The electric trolley system in Montgomery began operations on December 25, 1886, predating a similar system in Richmond, Virginia. The system was developed by Charles Van de Graaff, a local businessman and inventor, and it marked a significant step forward in urban transportation technology.

Miss Baker, a squirrel monkey, was one of the first animals to be launched into space and recovered alive. Born in 1957, she made her 16-minute space flight in 1959 and returned to earth a celebrity. Visitors to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville often honor this "monkeynaut" by leaving bananas on her memorial.

Alabama one-upped every other state in the nation when it became the first to recognize Christmas as a legal holiday in 1836. The U.S. as a whole didn't acknowledge it as such until 1870.

With its mild climate, abundant streams, and chalky soil, north Alabama is ideal for growing watercress, and during the 1940s, Huntsville became the largest producer of watercress in the world.

Van de Graaff is a crater formation located on the far side of the Moon, on the northeast edge of Mare Ingenii. The crater is named for Tuscaloosa-born physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff, whose groundbreaking work includes the invention of the Van de Graaff generator.

On December 14, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state to join the United States.

A strikingly obese figure, Dixon Hall Lewis weighed as much as 500 pounds (227 kg), making him the heaviest member of Congress ever. A specially-constructed seat was provided in the Senate chambers for him, and his carriage was fitted with unusually heavy suspension springs.

Star Blue Quartz, a type of quartz that displays a star-like pattern (asterism) on its surface when properly cut and polished, was designated as the official state gemstone of Alabama in 1990. It is found in various shades of blue and is often used in jewelry and ornamental pieces.