Kentucky is located in the east and south-central United States. A commonwealth is made up of four states: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Kentucky is bordered by seven states: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. With 40,409 square miles, Kentucky is the 37th largest state in the United States. With 4,395,295 residents, it is the 26th most populous state and the 22nd most densely populated state. Native Americans had lived in the area for centuries, but by the time European settlers arrived, the Native Americans had left. Although Kentucky was originally a part of Virginia, it became the Union’s 15th state in 1792.
Kentucky is derived from the Iroquois word ‘Ken-tah-ten,’ which means ‘land of tomorrow.’
Kentucky was the first region west of the Allegheny Mountains to be settled by pioneers.
Harrodsburg, founded by James Harrod in 1774, was the first permanent settlement.
In 1767, Daniel Boone explored Kentucky’s region, laying out the Wilderness Trail as he went. He was then in charge of establishing Boonesboro.
Kentucky was caught in the middle of the Civil War, providing troops to both the Confederate and Union armies.
Kentucky is known as the ‘Bluegrass State.’
The state motto of Kentucky is ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall.’
The state slogan of Kentucky is “Unbridled Spirit.”
Stephen Foster wrote the Kentucky state song, ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’
The Kentucky state flag was not completed until 1928, and it was changed again in 1962.
Frankfort is Kentucky’s capital city, and Louisville is its largest city.
Kentucky residents are known as Kentuckians.
Tobacco, wheat, corn, and peanuts are among Kentucky’s most important crops.
Kentucky’s industries include mining, whiskey production, auto and truck manufacturing, horse breeding, and chemical production.
Coal accounts for 85 percent of Kentucky’s mineral income.
In 1809, former President Abraham Lincoln was born in Larue County (then Hardin County). He served as the sixteenth President of the United States. He was in the army from 1861 to 1865.
Lake Barkley, Kentucky Lake, and Lake Cumberland are among Kentucky’s major lakes.
The Green River, Ohio River, Mississippi River, and Cumberland River are among Kentucky’s major rivers.
Kentucky is divided into 120 counties, 5 state forests, and 52 state parks.
Each year, the Kentucky Derby is held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the United States’ oldest annual horse race.
The world’s largest fireworks display also serves as the opening ceremony for the Kentucky Derby. ‘Thunder Over Louisville’ is the name of the fireworks display.
Kentucky is the eighth-largest cattle producer in the United States, as well as the leading cattle producing state east of the Mississippi River.
The Boy Scouts of America Scouting Museum is located on the campus of Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.
Colonel Sanders himself opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky.
Fleming County is Kentucky’s covered bridge capital.
In 1893, two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky wrote the song “Happy Birthday.”
