Alabama: What do these terms mean?

[Jinx]

Ok, what is the “Crimson Tide” (meaning? refers to what? and origin), and when did stars fall on Alabama? Do both of these terms originate during the Civil War, I WAG? So lost… - Jinx

[Cabbage]

The origin of “Crimson Tide”:

The first nickname to become popular and used by headline writers was the “Thin Red Line.” The nickname was used until 1906. The name “Crimson Tide” is supposed to have first been used by Hugh Roberts, former sports editor of the Birmingham Age-Herald . He used “Crimson Tide” in describing an Alabama-Auburn game played in Birmingham in 1907, the last football contest between the two schools until 1948 when the series was resumed. The game was played in a sea of mud and Auburn was a heavy favorite to win. But, evidently, the “Thin Red Line” played a great game in the red mud and held Auburn to a 6-6 tie, thus gaining the name “Crimson Tide.” Zipp Newman, former sports editor of the Birmingham News, probably popularized the name more than any other writer.

http://www.redelephants.com/redstory.html

I seem to remember at one time hearing about the origin of “Stars Fall on Alabama”, but I’m afraid it’s lost to me now.

[Duckster]

The Origin of “Crimson Tide”

In early newspaper accounts of Alabama football, the team was simply listed as the “varsity” or the “Crimson White” after the school colors.
The first nickname to become popular and used by headline writers was the “Thin Red Line.” The nickname was used until 1906.
The name “Crimson Tide” is supposed to have first been used by Hugh Roberts, former sports editor of the Birmingham Age-Herald. He used “Crimson Tide” in describing an Alabama-Auburn game played in Birmingham in 1907, the last football contest between the two schools until 1948 when the series was resumed. The game was played in a sea of mud and Auburn was a heavy favorite to win.
But, evidently, the “Thin Red Line” played a great game in the red mud and held Auburn to a 6-6 tie, thus gaining the name “Crimson Tide.” Zipp Newman, former sports editor of the Birmingham News, probably popularized the name more than any other writer.

Source: http://www.redelephants.com/redstory.html

The phrase “Stars Fell on Alabama” was placed on Alabama automobile license plates in 2002. It refers to a meteor shower that was seen across Alabama on November 12-13, 1833. It is also the title of a song and a book.

Source: http://www.archives.state.al.us/kids_emblems/

[Declan]

@Jinx

Ok, what is the “Crimson Tide” (meaning? refers to what? and origin), and when did stars fall on Alabama? Do both of these terms originate during the Civil War, I WAG? So lost… - Jinx

Go Bama

Roll tide

Declan

[VampyChick]

Go Bama!

Roll Tide!

Ahem. These fine gentlemen have already answered the questions better than I could. Though incidentally, I believe Alabama is also home to the only person to have ever been hit by a metorite. She survived.