History of Kentucky, USA

1769 - First visit made by Daniel Boone to Kentucky
In 1769, Daniel Boone, a skilled woodsman and frontiersman, embarked on his first expedition into the uncharted wilderness of Kentucky. Boone, along with a small group of fellow hunters, set out from present-day North Carolina, venturing westward into the Appalachian Mountains. Their aim was to explore the largely untamed lands beyond the mountains, which were teeming with wildlife and rumored to be rich in fertile soil.

Boone and his companions endured a challenging journey, facing rugged terrain, harsh weather, and the constant threat of hostile Native American tribes. Despite these hardships, they successfully reached the Kentucky region, which Boone famously described as a "second paradise." The lush forests and abundant game they encountered seemed to confirm the area's potential for settlement and development.

Boone's expedition marked the beginning of a significant chapter in American history, as it opened up Kentucky to further exploration and eventual settlement by... Read MORE...

1792 - Kentucky became 15th U. S. state

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1797 - Mammoth Cave main section discovered by Robert Houchins
In 1797, Robert Houchins, a hunter, and explorer, stumbled upon the main section of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, USA. The cave, now known as the longest in the world with over 400 miles of passageways, was a significant discovery in American natural history. Initially, the cave's vastness and intricate network of tunnels were not fully comprehended, but its potential for exploration and tourism became apparent over time.

Houchins's discovery sparked curiosity and drew attention to the cave's unique geological formations, including its impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers. As news of the cave spread, it became a popular destination for adventurers, scientists, and tourists, contributing to the exploration and understanding of the underground world. Houchins's accidental find ultimately led to the development of Mammoth Cave as a renowned natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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February 6, 1807 - It was the famous "Cold Friday" in the Midwest and South. The temperature did not rise above zero in Ohio and Kentucky.

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February 6, 1807

1812 - Earthquake occurred; tidal waves created on Mississippi River, river flowed backward, created Kentucky Bend, formed Reelfoot Lake area

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1812 - In the War of 1812 more than half of all Americans killed in action were Kentuckians.
The War of 1812, often called the Second War of Independence, was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain. One of the notable aspects of this war was the significant contribution of soldiers from Kentucky, a frontier state at the time. Despite being a relatively young state, Kentucky played a crucial role in the war, with its soldiers comprising more than half of all American casualties.

Kentuckians were known for their fierce fighting spirit and were often at the forefront of major battles during the war. Their bravery and determination earned them a reputation as some of the toughest fighters in the American forces. Their sacrifices and contributions in the War of 1812 were instrumental in shaping the outcome of the conflict and securing America's independence.
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1818 - Western portion of Kentucky purchased from the Chickasaw Indians (Jackson Purchase)
In 1818, Andrew Jackson, a Tennessee general, and Isaac Shelby, Revolutionary War hero and former governor of Kentucky, negotiated a significant land purchase known as the Jackson Purchase. This agreement involved the acquisition of a vast territory in the western portion of Kentucky from the Chickasaw Indians. The land, totaling around 7,000 square miles, was acquired in exchange for a payment of $300,000. The Jackson Purchase was a part of the broader U.S. government's policy of Indian removal, which sought to acquire Native American lands for white settlement.

The acquisition of the Jackson Purchase had several implications. It opened up new lands for American settlement, particularly for farmers looking for fertile land in the west. The purchase also helped to secure the western frontier of the United States, creating a buffer zone between Native American territories and the expanding American settlements. Additionally, the acquisition of the Jackson Purchase furthered the... Read MORE...


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1830 - Louisville and Portland Canal opened

In 1830, the Louisville and Portland Canal opened, marking a significant achievement in American engineering and navigation history. The canal was constructed to overcome the navigational challenges posed by the Falls of the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to its construction, the falls presented a formidable barrier to river traffic, limiting the size and types of boats that could pass through, hindering trade and transportation in the region.

The Louisville and Portland Canal, with its innovative locks and dams, provided a navigable route around the falls, effectively connecting the eastern and western parts of the United States via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This new waterway facilitated the movement of goods and people, boosting trade and commerce in the region and contributing to the economic growth of cities along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
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1848 - No Dueling Allowed
All public officials and attorneys in Kentucky must swear an oath that they “have not fought a duel with deadly weapons” nor acted as a second in another person’s duel. Good to know now; unfortunately, when the oath took effect in 1848, many would-be duelists turned to murderous street brawls instead.
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1861 - May 20 - American Civil War: Kentucky proclaims its neutrality
In May 1861, amid the escalating tensions of the American Civil War, the state of Kentucky declared its neutrality. This decision was significant because Kentucky was a border state, meaning it shared borders with both the Union and the Confederacy, and its allegiance was seen as crucial to the war effort of both sides. The declaration of neutrality was an attempt by Kentucky to avoid being drawn into the conflict, as many Kentuckians were deeply divided in their loyalties.
May 20, 1861

1861 - September 3 – American Civil War: Confederate General Leonidas Polk invades neutral Kentucky, prompting the state legislature to ask for Union assistance.
In September 1861, Confederate General Leonidas Polk made a bold move by invading neutral Kentucky during the American Civil War. This invasion sparked concern among many in Kentucky, leading the state legislature to request Union assistance to repel the Confederate forces. Kentucky had declared its neutrality at the beginning of the war, hoping to avoid conflict and maintain its precarious position between the North and the South.

1861 - December 10 – American Civil War: Kentucky is accepted into the Confederate States of America.
In 1861, during the early stages of the American Civil War, the state of Kentucky faced a significant decision regarding its allegiance. On December 10th of that year, Kentucky was accepted into the Confederate States of America, a move that reflected the divided loyalties within the state. Kentucky's decision was a pivotal moment, as it bordered both the Union and Confederate states, making its position crucial strategically and symbolically.

The acceptance of Kentucky into the Confederacy underscored the deep divisions within the state's population over the issue of secession. While Kentucky ultimately remained in the Union, the fact that it was considered for Confederate membership highlights the complexities and challenges faced by border states during this tumultuous period in American history.
December 10, 1861

1868 - A Kentucky statue gives to the widow and minor children of a person killed by the careless, wanton or malicious use of deadly weapons, an action against the person committing the killing.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868

1869 - In Taylor county, Ky., the other day, two young men were poisoned by eating hemlock root. It was thought one of them could not recover.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 3, 1869

1895 - Kentucky
Kentuck'y, an E. central state of the American Union, in the Mississippi Valley, bounded N. by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, E. by West Virginia and Virginia, S. by Tennessee, and W. by Missouri. The Ohio River separates it from the states on the N.; its E. line follows the Big Sandy River and its Tug Fork to the crest of the Cumberland Mountains, which form the S.E. limit of the state; the S. boundary, to the E. of the Tennessee River, is the parallel of 36° 38' N., and thence westward follows that of 36° 30' N.; and the Mississippi River marks the W. limit. Area, 40,400 square miles...

Population.–In 1790 the population was 73,677; in 1800, 220,955; in 1810, 406,511; in 1820, 564,135; in 1830. 687,917; in 1840, 779,828; in 1850, 982,405: in 1860, 1,155,684; in 1876, 1,321,011; in 1880, 1,648,690; in 1890, 1,858,635.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1899 - December 16 - Augusta High School in Augusta, Kentucky, burns down due to a heating plant failure.
On December 16, 1899, a tragic event unfolded in Augusta, Kentucky, as Augusta High School was engulfed in flames due to a heating plant failure. The fire quickly spread throughout the building, resulting in the complete destruction of the school. This devastating incident not only caused significant property damage but also disrupted the education of many students in the community.
December 16, 1899

1900 - Over 1,500 armed civilians took control of Capitol for two weeks; governor declared martial law, activated Kentucky militia; Governor William Goebel shot by assassin
In 1900, a tumultuous event unfolded in the state of Kentucky when over 1,500 armed civilians seized control of the state Capitol building in Frankfort. This uprising was part of a larger conflict known as the Kentucky gubernatorial election of 1899, which was marked by intense political tensions and allegations of fraud. The armed group was comprised of supporters of Democrat William Goebel, who had been declared the winner of the election after a controversial and disputed vote count. However, the incumbent governor, William S. Taylor, a Republican, refused to concede and claimed victory for himself.

The standoff at the Capitol lasted for two weeks, during which time Governor Taylor declared martial law and called upon the Kentucky militia to restore order. The situation came to a tragic climax when Governor Goebel was shot by an unknown assassin while walking to work at the Capitol. Goebel succumbed to his wounds days later, becoming the only governor in American history to be... Read MORE...

(1905 - 1909) Black Patch War - farmers burned barns and fields belonging to large tobacco interests; ended tobacco-buying monopoly (Kentucky)
The Black Patch War, spanning from 1905 to 1909, was a tumultuous period in Kentucky's history, characterized by intense conflict between small tobacco farmers and large tobacco companies. The farmers, primarily located in the region known as the Black Patch, were frustrated by the monopolistic practices of these tobacco interests, which controlled the prices and purchasing of their crops. In response, the farmers organized themselves into a loose coalition and engaged in a campaign of resistance, which included burning barns and fields belonging to the large tobacco companies. This destructive tactic aimed to disrupt the companies' operations and force them to negotiate better terms for the farmers.

The war came to a head in 1908 when the violence escalated, leading to several deaths and significant property damage. The conflict drew national attention and eventually resulted in the intervention of the Kentucky National Guard to restore order. The Black Patch War ultimately ended... Read MORE...

1926 - Mammoth Cave National Park established
In 1926, Mammoth Cave National Park was established in Kentucky, making it the United States' 26th national park. This designation was a recognition of the cave's unique and extensive network of underground passageways, which stretch for more than 400 miles, making it the longest known cave system in the world. The park's establishment was a culmination of efforts to preserve and protect this natural wonder, which had been attracting visitors for centuries due to its size, geological features, and rich history.

The park's establishment was significant not only for its natural beauty but also for its historical and cultural importance. Mammoth Cave has a long history of human habitation, with evidence of Native American presence dating back thousands of years. The cave was also used by early European settlers and played a role in the region's mining and tourism industries. The creation of the national park ensured that this unique natural and historical site would be protected and... Read MORE...

1936 - Last legal public hanging in Kentucky occurred
In 1936, Kentucky witnessed the final legal public hanging in its history, marking the end of a brutal form of punishment that had been practiced for centuries. The execution took place in Owensboro, where Rainey Bethea, a young African American man, was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 70-year-old white woman named Lischia Edwards. The case garnered significant attention not only for its heinous nature but also because it highlighted the racial tensions and inequalities prevalent in the American South at the time.

The hanging of Rainey Bethea on August 14, 1936, was a spectacle that drew crowds of onlookers, including journalists and photographers, who captured the event in graphic detail. The public outcry and media coverage surrounding Bethea's execution contributed to growing calls for the abolition of public executions in the United States.
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1944 - Kentucky Dam completed
The completion of the Kentucky Dam in 1944 marked a significant milestone in American infrastructure development. Located on the Tennessee River near Gilbertsville, Kentucky, the dam was part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) efforts to control flooding, improve navigation, and provide electricity to the region.

At the time of its completion, the Kentucky Dam was one of the largest dams in the world, standing at 206 feet tall and spanning 8,422 feet across the river. It created Kentucky Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in the United States, with a shoreline stretching over 2,000 miles. The dam's construction required thousands of workers and had a profound impact on the local economy, providing jobs and stimulating growth in the surrounding communities.

The completion of the Kentucky Dam not only provided flood control and electricity but also transformed the region by creating new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic development.
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January 28, 1963 - The low of -34 degrees at Cynthiana, KY, equalled the state record established just four days earlier at Bonnieville.

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2023 - Kentucky has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Bluegrass State:
1. Visit the Bourbon Trail: Kentucky is renowned for its bourbon whiskey, and the Bourbon Trail offers a unique opportunity to tour some of the most famous distilleries in the world. You can sample various bourbons, learn about the distillation process, and enjoy the scenic countryside.

2. Explore Mammoth Cave National Park: Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour to explore its awe-inspiring underground chambers, stalactites, and stalagmites.

3. Attend the Kentucky Derby: If you're in Kentucky in early May, don't miss the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. It's one of the most famous horse races in the world and a spectacular event filled with tradition, fashion, and excitement.

4. Discover the Ark Encounter: Located in Williamstown, this massive replica of Noah's Ark is a fascinating and educational attraction. Explore the exhibits and learn about biblical history.

5. Hike in Red River Gorge: This... Read MORE...