Discovery Series – Minnesota

Discovery Series Minnesota is a mug for a state that became part of the United States on May 11, 1858, carved from territories shaped by Ojibwe and Dakota indigenous nations before European settlement. French fur traders arrived in the 17th century, followed by waves of Scandinavian and German immigrants in the late 1800s who established farms and communities across the prairies and forests. The state’s economy flourished through lumber, flour milling powered by St. Anthony Falls, and iron ore mining from the Mesabi Range that fueled American industry through two world wars.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Kentucky

I can’t believe it has been more than a year since I added the Kentucky mug to the site. Time flies! It’s time to review the Discovery Series Kentucky Ornament.

Kentucky earned statehood in 1792 as the 15th state and the first west of the Appalachian Mountains, separating from Virginia to forge its own identity. The state’s name derives from a Native American word meaning “land of tomorrow” or “meadowland,” reflecting the fertile bluegrass region that attracted pioneers. As a border state during the Civil War, Kentucky remained officially in the Union while its citizens fought on both sides, creating lasting complexities.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Florida

It seems that the review of the Discovery Series Ornament Florida fell through the cracks, as I had already added all the cities from the Sunshine State to the site. I’m fixing this mistake now!

Florida’s history as the “Sunshine State” begins with Spanish explorer Ponce de León’s arrival in 1513, naming it “La Florida” for its lush vegetation and Easter season discovery. Spain, Britain, and eventually the United States controlled the territory before Florida achieved statehood in 1845 as the 27th state.… Read more

Discovery Series – Whistler

If you prefer the bigger mugs over the ornaments, then the Discovery Series Whistler is the one to get when visiting this well-known ski resort.

Whistler’s history as a world-class mountain resort begins with its development in the 1960s, when a group of Vancouver businessmen envisioned creating a ski destination to rival the Alps and potentially host the Winter Olympics. The resort opened in 1966 as Whistler Mountain, with Blackcomb Mountain following in 1980, creating a legendary dual-mountain experience. Whistler finally achieved its Olympic dream when it co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics with Vancouver, showcasing the resort to a global audience.… Read more

Discovery Series – Atlantic Canada

Discovery Series Atlantic Canada is a mug for the four easternmost provinces of Canada – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador – where European settlement began in the early 1600s. French Acadians established communities in the 1600s before British conquest led to the tragic deportation of Acadians in 1755. The region’s economy was built on fishing, shipbuilding, and maritime trade, with cod fishing sustaining communities for centuries until the devastating collapse of fish stocks in the 1990s.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Twin Cities

Discovery Series Ornament Twin Cities is a mini mug for a city that only had regular-sized mugs before. I got it together with the Minnesota ornament that I added to my collection recently.

The Twin Cities’ history begins with the establishment of Fort Snelling in 1819 at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, creating a military presence that attracted settlers to the region. Minneapolis grew around St. Anthony Falls, harnessing the waterfall’s power for lumber and flour milling in the mid-1800s, while St.… Read more

Discovery Series – Monterey

Discovery Series Monterey is another interesting release from California.

Monterey’s story begins in 1770 when Spanish explorers established it as the capital of Alta California, making it the political and cultural heart of Spain’s Pacific coast territories. The city continued as the capital under Mexican rule until California’s statehood in 1850, witnessing the transition from Spanish missions to American governance. In the early 20th century, Monterey became synonymous with its booming sardine industry, which John Steinbeck immortalized in “Cannery Row,” though overfishing led to the industry’s collapse by the 1950s.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Minnesota

I got the Discovery Series Ornament Minnesota earlier this year, and it was patiently waiting for this photoshoot.

Minnesota’s history as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” begins with its admission to the Union as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. The region was shaped by Ojibwe and Dakota indigenous nations before French fur traders arrived in the 17th century. The lumber and flour milling industries, particularly in Minneapolis with its massive mills powered by St. Anthony Falls, drove early economic growth in the late 1800s.… Read more

Discovery Series – Alabama

Let’s review the Discovery Series Alabama mug from “the Yellowhammer State”.

Alabama’s history as the “Heart of Dixie” begins with its admission to the Union as the 22nd state on December 14, 1819. The state played a pivotal role in American history, serving as the birthplace of the Confederacy when Montgomery became its first capital in 1861. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Alabama became the stage for transformative events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Atlantic Canada

Similar to the previous collection, Starbucks released a single mug for the Atlantic Canada region rather than separate designs for each province. This approach added some challenges for designers, as they had to create a one-size-fits-all design for the Discovery Series Ornament Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Canada refers to the region of Eastern Canada comprising four provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The term “Atlantic Canada” was coined by Joey Smallwood, the first premier of Newfoundland, when the Dominion of Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949.… Read more

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