Mississippi River Geology!!!?

Question

I need to know how the Mississippi River came to be (glacier movement; plate techtonics; ect.). You know, the history of the Mississippi, from the break up of Pangea. Also, what geology forces are acting upon the river (deposition, erosion, weathering, ect.)? Any information/links would be helpful. Pictures on those links much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Oh! Don't forget the New Madrid earthquake that made her run backwards. (it really happened)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_earthquake

Answer 2

http://www.semp.us/biots/biot_328.html
This website has lots of graphics discussing the formation of the rift zone (Reelfoot Rift) or aulacogen that formed the topographic low area that eventually became the "freeway" for most of the water emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. It also has some graphics showing the Jurassic break up of Pangea and the development of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic (same time as failed rift--Reelfoot). If there were no Gulf, there would be no Mississippi. The site also has at least one graphic of Ice Age glaciers and their effect on the future drainage basin.
Previous answerer gave you a good tip about the New Madrid fault zone associated with the rift, because everyone loves the story of the river jumping its banks and even flowing backwards locally. This site also gives some info about it.
As to erosion and deposition, I'm sure you can find some photos of floods, natural levees(deposition), and the Louisiana delta (big deposition story here). You might note that the Tertiary coastline was farther north, so the lower reaches of the river are fairly young.