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After the American Revolution, Illinois became the 21st state of the United States on December 3rd, 1818.

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The capital of Illinois is Springfield.
Springfield is located in the south-central part of the state. When Illinois entered the Union in 1818, the site of Springfield was still full of beautiful prairie. The first settler was Elisha Kelly, who came from North Carolina in 1819. With the support of Abraham Lincoln, who called Springfield his home at that time, the city became the capital of Illinois in 1837.

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Prairie State:

The North American prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems on earth. The grasslands of North America began to form about 20 million years ago, but in some areas up to 99 percent of the prairie has been destroyed (in just the last 125-150 years). Wildflowers are the jewels of public lands

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| Adopted | July 6, 1915

Mrs. Ella Park  Lawrence started a campaign to select an official state banner to place in the Continental Memorial Hall in Washington, DC because in a meeting she had seen state flags hung up and realized that Illinois didn't have one so she decided it would've been a good idea to do so.  A prize of $25 was offered for the best design for the banner and thirty-five designs were submitted. The flag designed by Miss Lucy Derwent was chosen as the winner. State Senator Raymond D. Meeker introduced the bill and the flag was made.

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Illinois was founded by French Explorer Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673

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Land Of Lincoln: Illinois designated "Land of Lincoln" as the official state slogan in 1955. Regarded as a great symbol of democracy

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In 2002, Kelly decided to challenge a ten-year incumbent Illinois state representative in the Democratic primary. In November, she defeated Republican Kitty Watson 81% 19%.[

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One of the Senators for Illinois is Tammy Duckworth

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White Tail Deer: Illinois school children voted to select the white-tailed deer as the state animal in 1980. Eleven other states also chose the graceful White Tail Deer as their state animal.

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In 1907, Mrs. James C. Fessler suggested to state officials that Illinois schoolchildren vote for a State Tree. They selected the Oak as State Tree. It was changed to a White Oak Tree afterwards.

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The Cardinal was chosen as state bird in 1929 by school children.

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The violet is Illinois state flower. It was chosen by students in 1907.

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President Grant resided in Galena, Illinois after the Civil War

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Barack Obama celebrated his win in Chicago Grant Park and has a house in Illinois

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Another one of the president's who resided in Illinois

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Another one of the president's who resided in Illinois

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Abraham Lincoln moved to Macon County, Illinois from Indiana in 1830 when he was 21 years old. He lived in Illinois until he became President in 1861. In addition, Lincoln represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives for one term (1847-1849). He was a member of the Illinois Legislature from 1834 to 1841 (four terms).

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In the 1600s, when American Indians first came into contact with Europeans in the Great Lakes region, two Native American ethnic groups inhabited the land that would eventually become the State of Illinois. Illinois had a number of traditional enemies, including Siouan tribes to the northwest, the Osage, Pawnee, and Arikara to the west, and the Quapaw to the south. Beginning in the 1650s, they also came under attack from Iroquois, whose earlier plans/practice of firearms gave them a strategic advantage.

Just like other Natives, Illinois also suffered from European diseases which had no immunity. American Indian Tribes of Illinois.

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Our state motto: "State sovereignty, national union" means that Illinois governs itself under the government of the United States.

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The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago, Illinois in 1885