When did Kentucky officially become the fifteenth state in the Union?
Kentucky officially became the fifteenth state in the Union on the 1st of June 1792. This event followed decades of petitioning Virginia and Congress for separation from Virginia.
Questions about Kentucky
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the origin of the name Kentucky according to historical theories?
The word Kentucky first appeared on European maps in the mid-18th century with meanings derived from Iroquoian or Algonquian roots. One theory traces it to Mohawk or Seneca words meaning on the meadow, while another suggests an Algonquian translation as Land of Our Fathers.
Who was the only governor of a U.S. state assassinated while in office and when did this occur?
Governor William Goebel remains the only governor of a U.S. state assassinated while in office. He was mortally wounded by an assassin on the 30th of January 1900 while walking to the State Capitol in downtown Frankfort.
Where is the epicenter of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes located relative to Kentucky geography?
The epicenter of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes lay near the Kentucky Bend at the far west corner of the state. This non-contiguous area is surrounded completely by Missouri and Tennessee and resulted from a surveying error rather than the earthquake itself.
What percentage of the world's bourbon whiskey supply does Kentucky produce today?
Kentucky produces 95% of the world's bourbon whiskey supply with over 5.7 million barrels aging exceeding the state population. By 2019, the state had more than fifty distilleries for bourbon production.