The state of Alabama celebrates its bicentennial in 2019 and in anticipation, the new book '100 Things You Need to Know About Alabama' has been released.

The colorful 224-page hardcover book, produced as part of the upcoming Alabama bicentennial celebration, covers the rich history of Alabama from prehistoric times through the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement to football championships and modern industries.

The book is divided into topics ranging from the earliest formations of the land to the sprawling Native American cultures and first contact with European settlers.  The narrative continues into the Civil War, Reconstruction, the two world wars, the Great Depression, the space race and the growth of the state’s high-tech industries.

The book takes a look at the impact Alabama has made on U.S. history and gives insight into the lives of well-know figures like Paul "Bear" Bryant, Harper Lee, George Wallace, Hank Williams, Lionel Richie, Jesse Owens, Nick Saban, Tuskegee Airmen, and more!

Jay Lamar, executive director of the bicentennial celebration said,

It serves as a guide book for the state’s bicentennial celebration that will begin in March 2017 and continue through 2019. The history of Alabama is more than just the history of our one state.

The book was written by Montgomery author Randall Williams and is available for $29.95. '100 Things You Need to Know About Alabama' will be featured at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery on April 23. It's currently available at Alabama locations of Books-A-Million, the Alabama Governor’s Mansion Gift Shop, Goat Hill Museum Store inside the Alabama State Capital and online at Amazon.com and Whitman.com.

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