# Puzzle - ordering of US States **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573 "2002-08-12T18:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/121 "2002-08-30T16:07:44Z")
It’s definately not the order in which states ratified a particular Constitutional amendement (I wasn’t really thinking that was a serious candidate), because [this page](http://www.usconstitution.net/constamrat.html) gives the order of ratification for all amendments, and nothing matches. I’m reasonably sure it’s not adoption of state birds or flowers, because I scrounged around and found some dates which didn’t match the given order (sorry; I was too lazy to mark the sites and I don’t feel like re-searching for them again). I agree with **bup** ’s radio/TV comment; I had tried looking up information on that before, but I got confused by distinctions between commercial, amateur, and experimental enterprises. (How about HAM radio licenses, though?) I really liked the “issuing driver’s licenses” one, because it’s a function of state government, which sort of automatically puts Alaska and Hawaii at the end. Except Delaware doesn’t have driver’s licenses. Also, New York was the first to issue lisence plates, so that’s out. How about receiving Federal Interstate money? Trains seems unlikely, because they’ve been around so long, and existed in a lot of Western territories before they were states. I still like cars or planes better. Man, there’s so many possibilities it seems unlikely to be gotten just by randomly guessing. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/122 "2002-08-30T16:59:11Z")
The puzzle creator claims the solution can be found in google with the information we have. If that were true, we would have found it by now. I’ve tried various combinations of short segments of the list using full name, abbreviation, capitals, and urban centers. Nothing returns a workable result. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/123 "2002-08-30T17:29:55Z")
I have a feeling he means if you already knew the connection, you could find a graphic which confirmed it. zut - the interstate thing already occurred to me, but Missiouri and Pennsylvania both claim title to having the first interstate mileage. Delaware doesn’t have driver’s licenses? What do they have? What about order in which states started putting pictures on licenses (or whatever Delaware uses to restrict driving)? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/124 "2002-08-30T17:31:41Z")
Actually, I think the creator says it can be found “on the internet”. That doesn’t imply that has been indexed by google, or would turn up in any particular search you might think of it it was. The data might be in a graphic rather than searchable text. Likely, if it’s one of those fool charts “USA Today” is fond of. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/125 "2002-08-30T17:38:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Possibilities: > > 1. Order in which the states mandated driver’s licenses (I was excited about this one until I found that Delaware apparently doesn’t issue driver’s licenses). then what the hell did they take away from me after i was cought doing 75 in a 25 zone (true story). i know, next time i’m pulled over and the cop asked for licenses and profe of insurence i’ll just say “hay, you guys never issue licenses”. i think that will go over well. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/126 "2002-08-30T17:57:59Z")
So what are we going to do if one of us figures it out? Are we agreed there will be no hard feelings, even though we’re obviously using each other’s thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/127 "2002-08-30T18:14:07Z")
Whoa. I guess I was wrong about Delaware not having driver’s licenses. I was basing that statement off of information on [this page](http://www.carbuyingtips.com/driver-licenses.htm), which clearly says “Delaware Drivers Licenses (Don’t have one) It’s funny, they are the “First State”, yet they are the last.” However, according to the [state of Delaware](http://www.delaware.gov/agencies/DMV/Driver_Services/Drivers_License/dr_lic_gen_req), “If you operate a motor vehicle on public roadways in Delaware you are required to have a driver’s license, and you must carry it with you. You are required to obtain a Delaware driver’s license within 60 days after becoming a bona fide Delaware resident.” And they should know, right? So Delaware _does_ have driver’s licenses. And I’m off to figure out if they were the first in the nation to require them. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/128 "2002-08-30T18:34:32Z")
Q: What was the first state to require a driver’s license? A: [Rhode Island in 1908.](http://www.response.com/about_response/press_releases/history_quiz.asp) Dang. ---
**Author:** ![WV\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@WV\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WV_Woman)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/129 "2002-08-30T19:13:55Z")
I poked around according to State Songs but nothing. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/130 "2002-08-30T21:41:37Z")
I am seriously beginning to think that someone is pulling our collective legs. Someone randomly grouped twenty states, threw in a couple of vague, meaningless clues (colored graphs, can be found on internet) and wanted to see how many took the bait. We bit. It is obviously not a simple solution. It would have been solved long ago. I can’t see any connection based on the actual spellings of the words / origins of some kind / state capitals etc. and no one else has seemed to either. If it is some ridiculously obscure bit of knowledge (e.g. ranking of per capita sardine consumption) then Whoop de Doopy Doo. You got us! That was a good one. Therefore, I submit that the answer to the logical order of these states is that… SURPRISE!!! There is none. That’s it. I officially put this matter to rest. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/131 "2002-08-31T13:42:03Z")
So that’s the end of that??? ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2002, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/132 "2002-09-03T21:17:19Z")
I am dying to know, so BUMP! Of course i do not have a clue myself. But you all are much smarter than me. ---
**Author:** ![LexNet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@LexNet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LexNet)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/133 "2002-10-08T01:47:44Z")
Patrick – What are the 21st and 22nd States? They should have both been announced by now. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/134 "2002-10-08T02:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Massachusetts > 2. Rhode Island > 3. New Jersey > 4. Illinois Organized crime? Per capita viewers of _The Sopranos_? ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/135 "2002-10-08T10:56:50Z")
There comes a point when intrigue turns to irritation and annoyance. No I don’t have a LONG ATTENTION SPAN, OK?!?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/136 "2002-12-14T01:54:56Z")
Was this solved? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/137 "2002-12-28T07:03:50Z")
Hmmmm… Did we get any more states? ---
**Author:** ![ravage2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d07c76/32.png) [@ravage2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ravage2)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/138 "2002-12-28T15:09:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yabob \* > \*\*Be sure to check through the chatter on the link provided by the OP. It eliminates a bunch of stuff, and the guy posing it adds the following clues: > It turns out that the guy works at Microsoft, in the Sports Games Studio, where the contest originated. The originator of the contest was the head of the studio, and, thus, there is a strong possibility that it’s sports related. He also promises $100 to anybody who cracks it for him, so be sure to take him up on it. \*\* If this is true (but I smell a rat) then I’m guessing its a Microsoft marketing ploy. What games are they developing? New basketball game perhaps? Check sports stats (something most people have neglected so far). I’de check but I’m too lazy. ---
**Author:** ![TheLadyLion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@TheLadyLion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyLion)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/139 "2002-12-28T17:52:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Strainger \* > \*\*Well, it can’t be anything related to educational performance. Arizona’s way too high up on the list for that. \*\* Yeah, I had to eliminate that one too, along with $$$ spent on mental health. ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573/140 "2002-12-28T18:38:39Z")
How about this: Delaware has the lowest property taxes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puzzle-ordering-of-us-states/123573.md?page=8)