Kentucky, The Bluegrass State
Kentucky is...
famous for breeding horses, tobacco farms, fine bourbon, Kentucky Derby and, of course, nothing says Kentucky better than Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).
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The name Kentucky is of native American origin and has been attributed to several different Indian languages, with several different possible meanings including the Iroquois word "Ken-tah-ten," which means land of tomorrow. The official state motto of Kentucky is "United we stand, divided we fall" - appearing on both the state flag and great seal of Kentucky.After the American Revolution, the counties of Virginia beyond the Appalachian Mountains became known as Kentucky County. Eventually, the residents of Kentucky County petitioned for a separation from Virginia. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state to be admitted to the union.
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| Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state located in the east south-central region of the United States. |
The Kentucky state flag was adopted in 1962.
The state seal design is featured in the center:
The state seal design is featured in the center:
Adopted in 1942, the Kentucky state seal features the state motto:
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
The great seal is also featured on the state flag of Kentucky.
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
The great seal is also featured on the state flag of Kentucky.
State Horse: Thoroughbred
The thoroughbred (Equus caballus) was designated
official state horse of Kentucky in 1996
(a thoroughbred horse is also featured on the Kentucky state quarter).
official state horse of Kentucky in 1996
(a thoroughbred horse is also featured on the Kentucky state quarter).
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was designated official state bird of Kentucky in 1926. One of America's favorite backyard birds, cardinals are distinctive in appearance and song - known for their "cheer cheer cheer," "whit-chew whit-chew" and "purty purty purty" whistles.
Male cardinals are a brilliant scarlet red, females a buffy brown with reddish wings - both have a jet -black mask, pronounced crest, and heavy bill. The cardinal sings nearly year-round, and the male aggressively defends his 4-acre territory (male cardinals have been seen attacking small red objects mistaken as other males).
State Flower: Goldenrod
Goldenrod (Soldiago gigantea) was designated official state flower of Kentucky in 1926.
Tidbit of Tivia: Attempts were made to replace goldenrod, criticizing it as a common weed that grew in most of the states. Proponents of the restoration of the bluegrass flower as the state flower were successful in the Kentucky House but met defeat in the Senate.
For all State Symbols of Kentucky, click HERE!
The original lyrics to My Old Kentucky Home
were written in 1853 by Stephen Foster.
were written in 1853 by Stephen Foster.
Bluegrass is an American grass roots music influenced by Irish, Scottish and English traditional music. Bluegrass was inspired by the music of immigrants from the British Isles (particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants in Appalachia), as well as jazz and blues. The bluegrass music genre is associated with the entire state, not just the bluegrass geographic region (Kentucky is nicknamed The Bluegrass State).
From Mountaintop to Stove top
Forbidding
mountains
No match for Daniel Boone
His wilderness road
Emerged not a day too soon
Emerged not a day too soon
Distinctive bluegrass
Awaited migrant settlement
Venture to the Western frontier
Beckoned life of betterment
Laboring 'til sunset
Struggling all day long
'Mountain music'
Harbored life in song
Loretta Lynn to Patty Loveless
Naomi, Wynonna too
Life of a coal miner's daughter
Loretta Lynn to Patty Loveless
Naomi, Wynonna too
Life of a coal miner's daughter
Brought 'country' into view
Birthplace of the spirit
Mark Twain, US Grant demand
For bourbon fans
Mark Twain, US Grant demand
For bourbon fans
The Colonel's fried chicken
Noted "Finger lickin' good"
From mountaintop to stove top
Kentucky history's understood
Kentucky history's understood
©2014 Sharla Lee Shults
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