Can you name all 50 US states in 5 minutes?
The United States of America is a federal republic of 50 states, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific in the west, with the outliers of Alaska and Hawaii adding a continent and an archipelago to the mix. Each state has its own constitution, governor, legislature and culture — a vast patchwork that the country's motto *E pluribus unum* ("out of many, one") captures perfectly.
The original 13 colonies declared independence in 1776 and gradually grew westward through purchase, treaty and annexation: the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 doubled the country overnight, and statehood crept across the continent until Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. Cities, accents, weather, food, sports allegiances and even what time the news comes on shift dramatically as you cross state lines.
So how many can you name against the clock? You have 5 minutes to type as many state names as possible. English names are accepted (e.g. *Florida*, *Texas*, *California*). Will you sweep the map and lock down a perfect 50/50?