8.1/1051 votes#1 - A River Runs Through It
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 5/3/2011
How has water has literally shaped the States? There's surprising history hidden in the blue, squiggly lines on the map. Did the founding fathers make a mistake along the Georgia Tennessee border? Can that boundary actually change because of water? Why does Maine have so much water? Why was Nevada was left high and dry? -- All these answers can be found in the unique shapes of these states.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.1/1044 votes
#2 - The Great Plains, Trains, and Automobiles
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 5/10/2011
The history of transportation is hidden in the lines of the map. From canals to trains and cars, how did getting around help draw the American map? Could Chicago have been in Wisconsin? Why are states out West or so big and boxy? And why did we almost had a state called Forgottonia?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/1038 votes
#3 - Force of Nature
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 5/17/2011
How have massive geological events helped create the American map? Long before the Founding Fathers drew the map, mother nature shaped some states. How did an asteroid create the border for three states and change history? How did glaciers plow the great plains and how did natural disasters continue to alter the map?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.1/1038 votes
#4 - State of Rebellion
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/24/2011
How did the most rebellious states took shape? How did they earn their outsized features and outspoken reputations. For instance, why does Montana looks like it took a bite out of Idaho? Why wasn't Texas broken up into five states? And why exactly do we have not one but two Carolinas?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/1039 votes
#5 - Living on the Edge
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 6/7/2011
Mysterious or fringe areas and how they shaped the states are examined. States include Nevada; Florida; Missouri; and Georgia.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.2/1035 votes
#6 - Use it or Lose it
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 6/14/2011
The role of politics is examined. States include Ohio; and Missouri. Also: Washington, D.C.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.4/1032 votes
#7 - Church and States
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 6/21/2011
The influence of religion is considered. States include Utah; and Kansas; and New England states.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.4/1030 votes
#8 - A Boom with a View
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/28/2011
The influences of money and prosperity are examined. States include Wisconsin; North Carolina; and North Dakota.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.4/1034 votes
#9 - Culture Clash
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 7/5/2011
Conflict can sometimes arise between different cultures that share the same state. Find out how culture clashes all over the country have shaped our map.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 8.4/1029 votes
#10 - Mouthing Off
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 7/12/2011
We all live in the same country, so why do we sound do different? It's a matter of where you are on the map. Why didn't the southern accent exist until after the Civil War? How did California athletes end up coining so many new words? Why do we have so many different words for the same things -- like pop versus soda? Will one particularly strong accent cause New York to break up and create a 51st state?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of How the States Got Their Shapes Season 1
Every episode of How the States Got Their Shapes Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of How the States Got Their Shapes Season 1!
The show deals with how the various states of the United States established their borders, but also delves into other aspects of U.S. history, including...
Genre:Documentary
Network:History
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"A River Runs Through It" is the best rated episode of "How the States Got Their Shapes" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 51 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 5/3/2011. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Great Plains, Trains, and Automobiles".