Happy National Illinois Day! Today we observe the 21st state to join the union back on December 3, 1818.
This midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. It is marked by farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands.
Chicago, one of the largest cities in the United States is in the northeast on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s famous for its skyscrapers, such as sleek, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.
Illinois’s distinct political, industrial, agricultural and population densities create an intriguing contrast to other states.
When farmers began to settle on the Illinois prairie, they found the thick soil challenging to sow.
One Vermont blacksmith made the work easier with the invention of the steel plow that cut sod more efficiently than previous tools. John Deere plow was born.
Railroads and shipping lines grew with farms in the rich prairies as settlers spread across the state. Chicago’s proximity to Lake Michigan has made it a major hub for transportation of goods across the country.
With the invention of the combustion engine, more reliable public highways became a national goal.
U.S. Route 66 would become the iconic ribbon from Chicago to Los Angeles, California.
Officially established in 1926, portions of the route were created from already existing roads.
Illinois completed the first leg of Route 66 during an era when Prohibition was in full swing.
A paved roadway gave illegal transportation of spirits a bootleg up and the state a reputation that has become legendary for this era.
While 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan was the only president born in Illinois, 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant and 44th U.S. President Barack Obama all called Illinois home.
Traveling around the state, we will glimpse the wonders of nature or the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.
From tours of his architecture in Oak Park to Starved Park State Park and Horseshoe Mound, Illinois offers urban and outdoor enjoyment.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Join National Day Calendar® as they recognize Illinois’ history and pioneering spirit. Uncover hidden treasures and explore all Illinois highways and byways! Use #NationalIllinoisDay to share on social media.
"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." ~Ray Bradbury
For a complete list of Illinois State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.dnr.illinois.gov and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.
NATURE and HISTORY
Mississippi Palisades State Park – Savanna
Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail – Northwestern Illinois
Weldon Springs State Park – Clinton
Illinois Caverns – Waterloo
Trail of Tears State Forest – Jonesboro
Postville Courthouse State Historic Site – Lincoln
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site – Petersburg
Camp Dubois – Wood River
Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument – Alton
Blackhawk War Monument – Kent
Morton Arboretum – Lisle
MUSEUMS
Illinois State Museum – Springfield
Field Museum of Natural History – Chicago
Adler Planetarium – Chicago
McLean County Museum History – Bloomington
Route 66 Association of Illinois – Pontiac
Hidden Treasures
The Awaking Muse – Schaumburg
Gold Pyramid – Wadsworth
Rockmen Guardians – Rockford
Popeye Character Trail – Chester
Gemini Giant – Wilmington
We also observe these famous figures born in Illinois of whom are still recognized today for their past accomplishments, heroics, talents, ingenuity and innovations: Black Hawk, Louise DeKoven Bowen, Jane Addams, Mary Curzon, Marion Mahoney, Walt Disney, Ronald Reagan, Burt “Butch” Baskin, Ray Bradbury, Martin Cooper, Lorraine Hansberry, and Michelle Obama.
Visit the link below to see those of notable birth who were not mentioned on the list above.
Here's to The Prairie State!
#NationalIllinoisDay
@IllinoisDNR
@EnjoyIllinoisUSA
@nationalparkservice
@ChicagoBears
@IlliniFootball
@WillisTowerChicago
@TribuneTower
@ChicagoBeanSays
@MortonArboretum
@IllinoisStateMuseum
@fieldmuseum
@adlerplanetarium
@IHMEC
@McLeanCountyMuseumofHistory
@il66assoc
@thegoldpyramid
@Tripadvisor
@atlasobscura
@nichecinema
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