So far there are bears to represent 22 of the 50 American States. Of course, two of these (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania) are technically Commonwealths!

Texas was the first state bear, introduced at the June gift fair in Dallas in 2004. Most of the other state bears (twelve of the twenty-two) were introduced together on 30th August 2004.

Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were introduced in September 2005 to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina which had affected those States.

All the bears except Texas (the first) and the Hurricane support Beanies do not have poems, but instead interesting facts regarding the States which they represent!

See the Bears located on a map here!