Kentucky - The Bluegrass State

Capital City:

Frankfort

Nickname:

Bluegrass State

Motto:

United we stand, divided we fall

Statehood:

June 1, 1792 (15th)

Origin of State's Name:

Based on the Iroquois Indian word "Ken-tah-ten," meaning "land of tomorrow." or "dark and bloody ground"

Largest City:

Louisville

Border States:

Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Land Area:

39,732 sq. mi.; 36th largest

State Bird:

Cardinal

State Flower:

Goldenrod (solidago altissima)

State Tree:

Tulip Poplar

State Songs:

My Old Kentucky HomeBlue Moon of Kentucky (bluegrass song)

Daniel Boone and other frontiersmen settled in Kentucky, the "Bluegrass State," in 1769. Its name comes from the Iroquois Indian word "Ken-tah-ten," or "land of tomorrow." Admitted into the Union in 1792, Kentucky is the 15th state and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. Today, Kentucky is associated with coal mines and horse farms and racing. America's most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby, is held in Louisville annually. The state flower is the goldenrod, the cardinal is the state bird and Frankfort is the capital.