Jumping jack to become Missouri's official state exercise
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Arms up! Legs out!
The jumping jack is about to become Missouri's official state exercise.
Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Thursday adding the jumping jack to a list of more than two dozen official symbols and things.
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The jumping jack was championed as the official state exercise by students from Pershing Elementary School in St. Joseph. They lobbied for it as a way to honor Gen. John J. Pershing.
The Missouri-born general led U.S. forces in World War I. He's credited with inventing the jumping jack as a training drill for cadets when he taught at West Point in the late 1800s.
Nixon's signature means the measure becomes state law on Aug. 28.