Name the U.S. states with the following nicknames: a. The Wolverine state b. The Volunteer state c. The Gopher state

The U.S. states known by these distinct animal-themed nicknames each have a fascinating story behind their moniker. Michigan, famously called "The Wolverine State," earned its title not necessarily because wolverines were abundant there, as evidence suggests otherwise. Instead, a prominent theory points to the 1835 Toledo War, a border dispute with Ohio. During this conflict, Ohioans reportedly used "wolverines" as a derogatory term for Michiganders, implying they were gluttonous, aggressive, and stubborn. Michiganders, however, embraced the insult, transforming it into a symbol of their tenacity and strength.

Tennessee proudly carries the nickname "The Volunteer State," a testament to its citizens' remarkable readiness for military service throughout history. The origin traces back to the War of 1812, when a significant number of Tennesseans enthusiastically volunteered to fight under Andrew Jackson, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of New Orleans. This reputation was further solidified during the Mexican-American War in the 1840s, when President James K. Polk, a Tennessean, issued a call for 2,800 volunteers, and an astonishing 30,000 Tennesseans answered.

Finally, Minnesota is known as "The Gopher State," a nickname that emerged from a political cartoon in 1857. The cartoon, created by R.O. Sweeny, satirized a controversial $5 million railroad loan. It depicted nine striped gophers, with the heads of local politicians, pulling a railroad car carrying the Territorial Legislature towards a "Slough of Despond." This imagery, intended to ridicule influential figures and questionable dealings, stuck with the state, and the University of Minnesota later adopted the "Gophers" as the nickname for its athletic teams.