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Table of Contents
Illinois
First Skyscraper
The first skyscraper in history was constructed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1885.1)
Railroad Miles
Texas is the only other state with more railroad miles than Illinois (9,980).2)
Famous People
Famous Illinoisans include Harrison Ford, Walt Disney, Robin Williams, Betty White, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Betty.3)
13th Amendment
On February 1, 1865, Illinois became the first state to approve the 13th Amendment.4)
Shedd Aquarium
In Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium is home to some 32,000 creatures.5)
Nabisco Factory
The biggest bakery in the world is located in Illinois at the Nabisco Factory.6)
Barbed Wire
In the 1870s, Illinoisan Joseph Glidden of DeKalb created barbed wire.7)
Pumpkin Capital
The world's pumpkin capital is Morton, Illinois. The area claims to generate 82% of the canned pumpkin consumed worldwide.8)
Nuclear Power
More nuclear power facilities are located in Illinois than any other state in the union.9)
Popcorn
Popcorn is the official treat of Illinois. Popcorn topped in cheese and caramel is combined to create Chicago-style popcorn.10)
Inventions
Zippers, red Solo cups, dishwashers and brownies are among the inventions made in Illinois.11)
Parakeets
South American wild parakeets have settled in Chicago, Illinois.12)
River Flowing Backwards
One of the rare rivers in the world that flows the other direction is the Chicago River. The river used to flow northward into Lake Michigan, but engineers changed its course such that it now flows southward into the Mississippi River basin. The reversal significantly reduced cholera and typhoid epidemics since Chicago relied on Lake Michigan for its drinking water.13)
French Word
The “s” is silent since “Illinois” is a French word.14)
Civil War
Although there were no significant engagements fought in Illinois during the Civil War, more than 250,000 soldiers from the state served the Union.15)