{"id":11887,"date":"2023-12-25T21:15:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-25T20:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11887"},"modified":"2023-12-25T21:15:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-25T20:15:13","slug":"is-the-mississippi-river-called-tje-big-black","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/is-the-mississippi-river-called-tje-big-black\/","title":{"rendered":"Is The Mississippi River Called Tje Big Black"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic rivers in American history. It has been called many things over the years, but the most recognizable of nicknames is “The Big Black.” The origin of this nickname is unclear, but there are many theories and explanations that historians have come up with to explain how the river got its name.<\/p>\n

The first theory suggests that the name “The Big Black” was given to the river by American Natives who were the original inhabitants of the land. The river was a valuable resource to the Natives, providing them with an abundant amount of fish and lush vegetation along its banks. The dark hue of the water was said to have given the river its name.<\/p>\n

Another explanation that has been proposed is that the name is derived from the dark sediment which often lines the riverbed. The sediment is composed of organic material that is washed upstream from the Gulf of Mexico, giving the river its blackish color. This sediment also serves a purpose, as it helps to nourish the soil along the banks and gives the area its rich, fertile vegetation.<\/p>\n

The third theory to explain the name of the river comes from the steamboats that used to ply the river during the 19th century. Due to the dark color of the water and the slow speed of the steamboats, the journey was often referred to as “steaming through the black.” These vessels were an important part of the commerce that took place along the river during this era.<\/p>\n