Southeast (U.S.)

Can you feel the warm sunshine on your skin. Can you smell the sweet magnolia flowers and the fresh, salty air from the ocean. If you listen closely, you might hear a guitar playing a happy tune or the gentle sound of waves lapping on a sandy shore. I have tall green mountains and beaches with sparkling white sand. My people love to sit on their porches and sip cool, sweet tea on a hot day. I am a place full of friendly smiles and warm welcomes. I am the warm, sunny corner of America. I am the Southeast.

My story is very long and has many twists and turns. Long, long ago, my first people, like the Cherokee and Creek, lived here. They loved my rivers and forests and built great mounds out of the earth that you can still see today. Then, ships sailed across the big ocean. An explorer named Ponce de León came to my shores looking for new lands. In 1565, a city called St. Augustine was built, and it’s the oldest city in the whole country. People also came from Africa, bringing with them powerful music, delicious food, and incredible strength. Their songs and traditions grew into something new, like the blues and jazz music that makes you want to tap your feet. We had some sad times and arguments, but my people always learned how to rebuild and grow stronger together, like a big, complicated family.

There was a time when not everyone was treated fairly. Some people were told they couldn't go to the same schools or drink from the same water fountains just because of the color of their skin. It was a very sad time. But brave people decided this had to change. A kind and powerful leader named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a beautiful dream. On August 28th, 1963, he stood up and shared it with the world in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He dreamed that one day, everyone would be judged by their heart and not what they looked like. His words were like a big hug for the whole country, reminding everyone to be fair and kind. His dream helped change things for the better and made my spirit of hope shine even brighter.

Today, I am a place buzzing with excitement. My cities, like Atlanta and Miami, are filled with tall buildings, amazing art, and busy people with big ideas. My kitchens are filled with the yummy smells of barbecue, cornbread, and creamy grits. And my dreams have reached for the stars. From a special place in Florida called the Kennedy Space Center, I help launch giant rockets that roar into outer space to explore new worlds. I am a place of stories, songs, and sunshine, where the past and future meet. Come visit me, listen to my music, taste my food, and add your own happy story to mine.