Kentucky: The Bluegrass State

Kentucky: The Bluegrass State — page 1 — 4 KENTUCKY INTRODUCTION Many people have experienced Kentucky without ever having set foot in the 15th state of the Union Kentucky has lent its name to numerous world renowned events and products not the least of which is a major race in the exciting sport of Thoroughbred racing Known as the sport of kings it is one of the state’s oldest and most treasured sporting activities Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby a world-famous horse race that has been held since 1875 Top-quality horses and jockeys come from around the globe to compete in what has been called the most exciting two minutes in sports KFC a worldwide chain of fast-food restaurants formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken was founded in Corbin The company is now based in Louisville Also in Kentucky is the Fort Knox Bullion Depository which is known for its tight security This heavily guarded building near Louisville holds a large amount of the nation’s gold reserve within its vaults Horse racing in Louisville dates back as far as 1783 when its downtown streets served as a makeshift racecourse Kentucky is well known for growing a variety of tobacco called burley The Kentucky state song is My Old Kentucky Home It was written by Stephen Collins Foster in 1853 The official state gemstone is the freshwater pearl In 1929 Harlan Sanders opened a café in the back of his service station in Corbin Over the years he perfected a recipe for fried chicken that he used to start Kentucky Fried Chicken Colonel Sanders as he was called became internationally known as the fast-food chain’s spokesman Daniel Boone a legendary frontiersman explored the Kentucky territory in the late 1700s Kentucky is known as the bluegrass state after the bluish-tinted grass that grows throughout central Kentucky

Kentucky: The Bluegrass State — page 2 — INTRODUCTION 5 Kentucky lies in the south-central section of the United States Ohio Indiana and Illinois border Kentucky to the north West Virginia borders Kentucky to the northeast Missouri is to the west Virginia to the southeast and Tennessee to the south The Ohio River runs the entire length of Kentucky’s northern border Getting around in Kentucky is quick and easy The state’s extensive road system has a large network of highways Railroad transportation in Kentucky began in 1832 and today more than 2,800 miles of railways cross the state Railroads connect most of Kentucky’s major cities and deliver freight to large and small locations Waterways such as the Ohio River play a major role in transporting products in and out of the state All of Kentucky’s major cities have airports The Blue Grass Airport in Lexington the Louisville International Airport and the Cincinnati Kentucky has approximately 79,000 miles of roads and highways Northern Kentucky International Airport near Florence Ky are the busiest airports in the state Kentucky Location Map Kentucky’s official name is the Commonwealth of Kentucky The only other commonwealth states in the country are Pennsylvania Virginia and Massachusetts Legally commonwealth states have the same status as other states After pioneers had settled the area traders began to market the seed of the blue grass from Kentucky The state seal features two men a frontiersman dressed in buckskins and a gentleman in formal attire shaking hands They represent the state motto United We Stand Divided We Fall Capital Frankfort Interstate highways Mi 0 35 70 Scale 0 56 113 Km Population 4,041,769 Size 40,411 square miles Highest peak Big Black Mountain 4,145 feet

Kentucky: The Bluegrass State — page 3 — 6 KENTUCKY The Cumberland Gap is a natural pass through the Cumberland Mountains It was of strategic importance during the American Civil War Some believe that the first Mother’s Day was held in 1887 in Henderson with the help of a teacher named Mary S Wilson The state flag has a navy blue background with the state seal appearing in the center It was adopted in 1918 Kentucky is the birthplace of Jefferson Davis who was president of the Confederacy during the American Civil War The fields of Kentucky have been trampled on by the feet of many soldiers in battle The Kentucky area had only recently been settled when the American Revolution began in 1775 The British Native Americans and 13 American Colonies battled for the land In the end the colonies gained control of Kentucky The American Civil War had special significance in Kentucky The war started in 1861 after 11 Southern states seceded or withdrew from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America Kentucky which was centrally located between the North and the South tried to remain neutral Its citizens however were divided fighting for both sides U S President Abraham Lincoln who was born in Kentucky in 1809 played a major role in the American Civil War It was his goal to end slavery in the country He allowed slaves to join the Union’s army in the fight for their freedom In 1863 Lincoln issued a document that granted African Americans freedom from slavery The war ended in 1865 with a Union victory Abraham Lincoln one of Kentucky’s most celebrated figures has a statue dedicated to him in the Kentucky State Capitol

Kentucky: The Bluegrass State — page 4 — INTRODUCTION 7 Since the days of the American Civil War Kentucky has fostered a spirit of equality and prosperity The state has created a vibrant economy out of the breeding and selling of Thoroughbreds Meanwhile it has maintained the traditions of a style of old-time country music called bluegrass Kentucky is the only place where the Chevrolet Corvette a luxury sports car is manufactured The state is also known for its high-quality bourbon A vast range of industries has helped keep the state’s economy stable from mining and natural gas production to forestry and manufacturing Farm products also contribute greatly to the state’s economy Tobacco The city of Louisville was founded in 1778 Kentucky’s name comes from a Native American word meaning meadowland or prairie The Triple Crown is awarded to the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes in a single season Only about 10 horses have accomplished this difficult feat soybeans corn wheat and livestock earn agricultural income for the bluegrass state With its horse racing and fried chicken Kentucky has made a name for itself as a state of high-class sporting events and home-style pleasures The selling of Thoroughbreds is an important part of Kentucky’s economy The record price paid for a 1-year-old Thoroughbred is more than 13 million

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