Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
Did you know that the Mason-Dixon line is NOT the border between North & South, but only between Pennsylvania and Maryland? And that has nothing to do with the Civil War?

http://www.udel.edu/johnmack/mason_dixon/

btw, Welcome, Tom, and thanks for putting "The Rakes of Mallow" in my head, along with lines from "The Quiet Man"!

Cheers,

Todd
Of course, and that's a good point. It was surveyed by Mason and Dixon, and, prior to the War Between the States, was considered the North-South dividing line by many. It also marked the line between Delaware and Maryland, although no one ever remembers that. Seems like it dates from the late 1700s, but don't quote me on that.

Maryland was always considered a southern state, and that's why Washington DC is where it is--in the South! It was a way of placating the Southerners in Congress when the location was originally decided.

I have a degree in history as well as English et al, so this stuff is right up my alley.

And, you certainly can't beat The Quiet Man for one of the Duke's best movies.