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Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2008

"Year of Alabama History" Brochure Released
Discover the History of Sweet Home Alabama

Montgomery, Ala. - Governor Bob Riley released the official "Year of Alabama History" brochure today to promote the 2009 tourism campaign.

The 94-page brochure, "Historic Alabama: A Guide to Landmarks and Events," gives readers insight into the history of some 163 towns and cities across the state and features more than 700 museums, events and historically significant sites, from north Alabama to the Gulf Coast. Old Alabama Town in Montgomery is featured on the front cover while the back cover depicts a scene from the "Miracle Worker" at Helen Keller's birthplace in Tuscumbia. It was written by Marilyn Jones Stamps and designed by Amy Shell, of the Alabama Tourism Department.

The publication features Civil War and Civil Rights sites, places of aviation and space exploration, a tapestry of past Native American civilizations and caves, and remnants of pioneer life in Old Alabama Town in Montgomery, the Pike Pioneer Museum in Troy and Huntsville's Constitution Village - the birthplace of Alabama.

"Touring historic Alabama is guaranteed to be an educational and rewarding experience," said Governor Riley. "This brochure not only highlights the many sites and events that made our great state what it is today, but it also provides insight into the remarkable journey of famous Alabamians who impacted our nation such as Helen Keller, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and George Washington Carver," said Riley.

The Alabama Tourism Department, the Department of Archives and History, the Alabama Historical Commission, local convention and visitor bureaus, and museums and attractions around the state partnered to create and promote the "Year of Alabama History" to students, residents and tourists.

"We are excited about the impact we believe this brochure will have on encouraging visitors to experience first-hand the things they read about in this publication," said Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell. "This is the largest brochure that we have ever printed and it's full of exciting places to discover and experience," said Sentell.

The tourism department will officially kick off the "Year of History" celebration on December 12 at the state Department of Archives and History in Montgomery to coincide with the 189th birthday celebration of Alabama's statehood. Alabama became the 22nd state admitted to the Union on December 14, 1819.

"We have some great stories to tell and some extraordinary people to tell about," said Ed Bridges, director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. "Visitors can come to experience such events as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Tallapoosa County, or to learn about events that brought about monumental changes in the nation's voting and civil rights laws," added Bridges.

Some 200,000 copies of "Historic Alabama" have been produced for distribution through the state's welcome centers, convention bureaus and tourism destinations. In addition to the booklet, the campaign promotion includes a commemorative low-cost history book produced by the Birmingham News.

Special emphasis is also being placed on historic attractions and museums in the 2009 Alabama Vacation Guide. A companion piece to the vacation guide, the 2009 Alabama Calendar of Events, will highlight more than 1,600 history-related events and festivals.

The "Year of Alabama History" is the sixth in a series of award-winning marketing campaigns designed to attract tourists to the state's destinations. For more information visit the Alabama Tourism Department Web site, www.alabama.travel or call 1.800.ALABAMA (252.2262). A special "Year of Alabama History" Web site will be available for viewing on November 1st.

To download b-roll of attractions showcased in the Year of Alabama History brochure visit www.alabama.travel; click on Press Room for the mpeg2 file and video.