Every December 3, Illinois celebrates its birthday. Most people know it as the Land of Lincoln or picture the Chicago skyline, but the Prairie State has a much bigger story than deep-dish pizza and windy winters. Some of its history is ancient, some of it is wonderfully weird, and a surprising amount of it shaped the rest of the country.
Whether your family has roots in the state or you’re honoring a veteran who still proudly displays their service with thin ribbons, Illinois Day is a great excuse to learn something new. Here are 10 fun facts worth sharing.
1. Illinois Became a State on December 3, 1818
Illinois Day marks the date on which President James Monroe signed the resolution admitting the state to the Union. On that day, Illinois became the 21st state in the nation.
Statehood came almost a decade after Illinois became a territory. Its early population was concentrated in the southern part of the state, a far cry from today, when Chicago dominates the map.
2. It Was Home to a Massive Ancient City
Long before European settlers arrived, the land that is now Illinois was home to one of the most remarkable cities in North America. Around 1050, Cahokia emerged as the largest and most influential city of the pre-Columbian Mississippian culture.
You can still visit its huge earthen mounds near Collinsville. Cahokia Mounds is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, putting it in the same company as some of the most significant historic places on Earth.
3. Springfield Wasn’t the First Capital
Springfield has been the capital for a long time, but it wasn’t the original. Illinois had two earlier capitals, Kaskaskia and Vandalia, before Springfield became the capital in 1837. Abraham Lincoln played a role in moving the capital to Springfield. That move helped set the stage for the city’s deep connection to his life and legacy.
4. Lincoln Wasn’t Born There
Illinois proudly calls itself the Land of Lincoln, and the slogan appears on license plates across the state. Lincoln was actually born in Kentucky and spent part of his childhood in Indiana.
He moved to Illinois as a young man and built his life and career there, working as a lawyer and launching his political rise in Springfield. His home, tomb, and presidential library are all in the city today.
5. The First Ferris Wheel Spun in Chicago
The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut in Chicago. It was a showpiece of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, a massive world’s fair that drew visitors from around the globe.
Engineer George Ferris designed it as an American answer to the Eiffel Tower, which had wowed visitors at the Paris exposition a few years earlier. Today, Ferris wheels are a staple of fairs and boardwalks everywhere.
6. Chicago Dyes Its River Green
Every year around St. Patrick’s Day, crews dye the Chicago River a bright emerald green. It’s become one of the most famous holiday traditions in the country. Crowds pack the riverbanks to watch the color spread, and the tradition draws visitors from all over to celebrate.
7. Its Highest Point Isn’t Very High
Illinois is famously flat, and its geography backs that up. The highest point in the state is Charles Mound, which stands at 1,235 feet above sea level. That makes it one of the lower state high points in the country. The flat, fertile prairie land is a big reason Illinois became such an agricultural powerhouse.
8. Route 66 Starts in Chicago
The legendary highway that inspired songs, road trips, and countless roadside diners begins in downtown Chicago. Route 66 once stretched all the way to Santa Monica, California.
Illinois still has stretches of the historic route lined with vintage signs, quirky attractions, and nostalgic stops. It remains a favorite for travelers looking to experience classic American road culture.
9. The Navy Trains Its Recruits Near Chicago
Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, is home to the Navy’s only boot camp for enlisted sailors. Every new enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy begins their service there.
That gives Illinois a special place in American military history. Generations of sailors have taken their first steps toward service along the shores of Lake Michigan before heading out to ships and stations around the world.
10. A Future President Was Born in a Tiny Town
Lincoln may get most of the attention, but he isn’t the only president tied to Illinois. Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, a small village in the northwest part of the state. Reagan also grew up in nearby Dixon, where his boyhood home is preserved today. That makes Illinois the birthplace of a president, along with being the state that launched Lincoln’s career.
Celebrate the Prairie State
From an ancient city at Cahokia to the world’s first Ferris wheel and a Navy boot camp on Lake Michigan, Illinois has packed a lot of history into just over two centuries of statehood. Its influence shows up in American culture, politics, and even military life.
This Illinois Day, share a few of these facts, visit a historic site, or raise a glass to the 21st state. There’s always more to discover about the place that calls itself the Land of Lincoln.
