# I forgot..How many states are there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 20, 1999, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279 "1999-12-20T17:25:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/41 "1999-12-22T19:12:00Z")
One more point about Texas: We may nopt be a republic anymore, but we are the only State (except maybe California?) allowed to fly our flag at the same height as the US flag, in recognition of our former sovern (sp?) status. * * * Cessandra It’s frightening how many crazies think that world is going to end in a few days. All of us smart people know that it’s not ending until next year. ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/42 "1999-12-22T19:13:00Z")
One more point about Texas: We may not be a republic anymore, but we are the only State (except maybe California?) allowed to fly our flag at the same height as the US flag, in recognition of our former sovern (sp?) status. * * * Cessandra It’s frightening how many crazies think that world is going to end in a few days. All of us smart people know that it’s not ending until next year. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/43 "1999-12-22T23:06:00Z")
Do you mean that if there are two flagpoles next to each other, the Texas and U.S. flags are at the same height? If so, I believe every state does that. At least in California, when I go to a baseball game at Dodger Stadium and look out to center field, there is a U.S. flag and a California flag on identical poles. (Except when the Expos are in town and then there is a Canadian one.) If the U.S. flag is sharing a flag pole with a state flag, the U.S. flag goes on top. According to the U.S. Flag Code (passed in 1942 and amended in 1976), the U.S. flag may not be flown below any other flag or (if on the same level) to the right of any other flag, except for the UN flag. The perspective were supposed to use here is the flag’s. So, try to see life through the eyes of the old Stars and Stripes. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 1999, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/44 "1999-12-23T00:40:00Z")
Just a clarification of what Kyla said regarding California’s “Bear Republic” days (sorry, I’ve got all of this useless clutter in my head, and by God, I’m going to show it off even if I have to take this thread to Cuba to do it!). During the Mexican-American War, General John C. Fremont led soldiers into southern California (which was still part of Mexico at the time) and declared California’s secession from Mexico (with a combination of support from the American settlers, and having the U.S. Army keep the Mexican settlers at gunpoint). Shortly afterwards, several U.S. gunships showed up to help ‘keep the peace’ and defend the ‘Bear Republic.’ Fremont declared himself military governor. The ‘Bear Republic’ lasted only so long as the war against Mexico, and at no point was it particularly independent in action or speech of the U.S. Fremont later served as a Senator from California, was the first person to run for President as a Republican, and maintained a record as one of the worst generals ever to serve the Union in the Civil War. I’ll shut up now. * * * JMCJ Die, Prentiss, Die! You will never have a more glorious opportunity! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 1999, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/45 "1999-12-24T05:28:00Z")
Well, I hate to say it, Mr. Corrado, but your post is completely inaccurate regarding the Bear Flag Republic. Correct data regarding the so-called ‘Republic’ can be found at: [http://www.sonomavalley.com/revolt.html](http://www.sonomavalley.com/revolt.html) among other sites. From this and other sites you will note that: 1. The Republic was proclaimed in Sonoma (as Kyla noted). 2. The Republic lasted all of 25 days. 3. Fremont didn’t declare anything. 4. The end of the Republic came after an American Naval force captured Monterey (Commodore Sloan, commanding, if I recall correctly) and declared California was part of the United States. The trouble with useless date running around in our heads is that it often should be correlated with something a bit more reliable, like an encyclopedia. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 1999, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/46 "1999-12-24T05:54:00Z")
I believe the Commodore’s name was Sloat, not Sloan. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 1999, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/47 "1999-12-25T20:46:00Z")
BobT, correct you are. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 1999, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/48 "1999-12-26T23:36:00Z")
I can attest, although I’m from California, that the U.S. flag flies over _any_ state flag, Texas’ flag included: Last year I made a stop at the airport in Dallas-Fort Worth, flying to a family gathering in Inadianapolis; one flagstaff I saw shortly before the plane touched down, had Old Glory at the top and the Lone Star flag just below it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Neenah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/958977/32.png) [@Neenah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neenah)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/49 "2000-03-23T09:43:00Z")
How many states are there? Sixty-four, according to the art teacher assigned to the gifted/talented class at the high school I went to. ---
**Author:** ![billehunt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@billehunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billehunt)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/50 "2000-03-23T09:58:00Z")
Hey, one more post and there’ll be one post per U.S. state. I’ll take California. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/51 "2000-03-23T14:14:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Gee, and I thought the United States bought Alaska. (I guess that’s what comes from having a Canadian education.) So if the current inhabitants of those lands want to move elsewhere, they should feel free… Yeah, but try emmigrating to Canada! It’s not that easy! Splitting California If CA were split in two (once I heard three: Mexico to the Tehachepies = So. Cal., Tehachepies to Sacramento = Central Cal., Sacramento to Oregon = No. Cal.) how would L.A. steal – I mean _import_ – the water it needs? Let’s assume CA were split. Would both parts be states? Or could both claim that CA was not admitted into the union in it’s divided form, so neither is part of the United States? Or would “California” remain a state, and “Other California” not be in the Union? What do I care? I want to leave anyway! I just vote for the breakup every time it’s on the ballot because I think the chaos would be glorious! * * * “I must leave this planet, if only for an hour.” – Antoine de St. Exupéry Are you a turtle? ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/52 "2000-03-23T14:14:00Z")
I thought the money paid to Alaska residents each year was drawn from the interest on the Permanent Fund. The Permanent Fund is where the money from the North Slope oil leases is deposited, the idea being to create a fund that will continue to generate money for the state (and its residents)long after all the oil is gone. Yes? No? ---
**Author:** ![paintsvillecom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@paintsvillecom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paintsvillecom)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/53 "2000-03-23T17:45:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by NanoByte: > **… why does the rest of the country allow a state with almost twice the population of any other state to run the country? Can’t they claim it’s unconstitutional?** Actually, it’s perfectly constitutional. The division of Congress into two houses was done for a reason. The House of Representatives is supposed to represent the population, whereas the Senate is supposed to represent the individual states. That way, you have a balance of power between the people, who for some reason seem to flock in droves to that godforsaken state, and the good-old-boy political machines which run the states. Of course, all of that is moot now that both the Senate and House don’t really represent anyone except the special interests which finance their campaigns. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/54 "2000-03-23T17:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Jorge: > \*\*Depends on the purpose of your question, too. Many Federal laws, and most treaties, apply to the “States”, which in their definition includes territories like American Samoa, P.R., Guam, etc… > > \*\* I’m willing to bet that those laws to which you refer actually state that they apply to “The United States,” thus meaning the whole country to include all territories. ---
**Author:** ![A\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@A\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_girl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/55 "2000-03-24T06:07:00Z")
I say 51 states!! I don’t care what anybody says, the U.S. owns the freakin’ moon! We got our flag up there first, IT’S OURS! 51 STATES! 🙂 A girl * * * I finally thought of a sig line. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/56 "2000-03-24T06:43:00Z")
_ **Johnny L.A.:** If CA were split in two (once I heard three: Mexico to the Tehachepies = So. Cal., Tehachepies to Sacramento = Central Cal., Sacramento to Oregon = No. Cal.) how would L.A. steal – I mean import – the water it needs?_ Funny you mention that. Western Colorado and Eastern Utah once had (and maybe still have) a movement to secede from their eastern & western halves respectively and form a new state, mainly because of the way those halves steal water. Denver and the Eastern Slope actually have a tunnel through a mountain and a wall built to divert lots of snowmelt onto their side of the Continental Divide. Thieves! * * * Wrong thinking is punished, right thinking is just as swiftly rewarded. You’ll find it an effective combination. ---
**Author:** ![TheUnforgiven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TheUnforgiven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUnforgiven)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/57 "2000-03-23T19:41:00Z")
1. “I’ll be six feet under before I recognize Missourah!” ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/58 "2000-03-24T07:46:00Z")
Hey, screw you, buddy! –Tim * * * We are the children of the Eighties. We are not the first “lost generation” nor today’s lost generation; in fact, we think we know just where we stand - or are discovering it as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/59 "2000-03-24T09:55:00Z")
I, for one, am all for drawing a line at about San Luis Obispo, and letting all the scum south sink to the bottom. NorCal would be much bette off without those louts in Greater El Lay. Question: Baja California is the part the Mexico owns. So what’s the part that belongs to the US? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2000, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279/60 "2000-03-25T08:05:00Z")
Okay, are we counting Canada? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forgot-how-many-states-are-there/9279.md?page=4)