When did Kentucky become a state and what number was it?
Kentucky became the fifteenth state in the Union on the 1st of June 1792. Isaac Shelby, a military veteran from Virginia, was elected its first Governor.
Questions about Kentucky
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is Kentucky called the Bluegrass State?
Kentucky is called the Bluegrass State in reference to Kentucky bluegrass, a species of grass introduced by European settlers. The grass has long supported the state's thoroughbred horse breeding and racing industry, particularly in the fertile central Bluegrass region.
How much bourbon whiskey does Kentucky produce compared to the rest of the world?
Kentucky produces 95% of the world's supply of bourbon whiskey. More than 5.7 million barrels are aging in the state at any given time, a number that exceeds Kentucky's total population of approximately 4.6 million people.
What happened to Governor William Goebel of Kentucky?
Governor William Goebel was mortally wounded by an assassin on the 30th of January 1900, while walking to the State Capitol in Frankfort. He is the only governor of a U.S. state to have been assassinated while in office. His running mate J. C. W. Beckham was later confirmed as the legal governor by the U.S. Supreme Court.
What is the world's longest known cave system and where is it located?
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to the world's longest known cave system. The park is among the state's most significant natural attractions.
Did both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis come from Kentucky?
Yes. Both U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were born in Kentucky. John C. Breckinridge, the fourteenth Vice President of the United States and the Southern Democratic presidential candidate in the 1860 election, was also born near Lexington, Kentucky.