Jackson is the capital of Mississippi that is also the state's largest city. It was named for General Andrew Jackson who became the seventh President of the United States in 1829. Well known author Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, which today is known as the "city with soul." Though many people may consider Jackson to be just an ordinary Southern city, it has a worldwide reputation as an area renowned for its artistic and cultural attractions. For example, there are only four cities in the entire world that the prestigious International Theatre/Dance Committee feels are worthy hosts of the International Ballet Competition and Jackson is one of those cities. For many, who are moving to Jackson will also discover a city to discover and listen to Blues, Gospel and R&B music.
Economy:
Jackson has a diverse business portfolio that has helped the city stay afloat during times of economic recession. One prime is example, is that in 2003 Nissan's first truck came off of the assembly line in Jackson. This new plant helped tremendously to soften the blow when WorldCom Inc. went bankrupt. The company was headquartered in the nearby city of Clinton, Mississippi. It also lessened the detrimental effect when Tyson Foods Inc. closed its Jackson processing plant in 2004. The Consumer National Bank, First American Bank, First Commercial Bank, and Trustmark National Bank are all based in Jackson. Agriculture is a very important industry in Jackson with some of the most profitable resources being cattle, cotton, grain and poultry. More than 40,000 residents are government employees while other key sectors are manufacturing, construction, health care, tourism and retail. With all of these exciting employment opportunities, it's no wonder so many Jackson moving companies are so busy.
Tourism:
Jackson offers many great sights, sounds and tastes for the entire family. Avid readers may enjoy touring the home where Eudora Welty once lived. It is now a museum with beautiful gardens. Other museums include the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, which showcases the works of African American artists who are from Mississippi. For family fun, children will love the Jackson Zoo, which is the home of over 750 animals. Why not catch the Dixie National Rodeo which takes places in Jackson every year? There is also the Mississippi State Fair with lots of great food, arts and crafts and countless exhibits.
History:
Jackson was founded in 1821 and was chosen as the capital of Mississippi due to its central location. During the Civil War, Jackson played a key role for the Confederacy. In 1861, Mississippi was officially seceded from the United States. On May 13, 1863 the Union Army was victorious in the Battle of Jackson. On May 15, Sherman and his troops burned the city. The Union soldiers moved on, but came back to capture and terrorize the city and set fire to it once again that July. 100 years later, in the 1960s, Jackson is a hotbed of Civil Rights activity. On May 24, 1961 over 300 African Americans were arrested for riding buses from Washington D.C. to the South to ignore segregation on public transportation. These passive protestors were known as the Freedom Riders. A white supremacist named Byron De La Beckwith assassinated Medgar Evers, who was an NAACP leader in the state, on June 12, 1963. In 1994, De La Beckwith was finally convicted of murder.