You might think you know this state inside and out. But I bet you there are at least a few things on this list that you didn’t know. Read on for some fun facts about our state:

1. Illinois means "tribe of superior men"
KAZ Vorpal/Flickr
2. Peoria is the oldest community in Illinois
Boston Public Library/Flickr
3. Four presidents were either born in Illinois or were from Illinois: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama
Vox Efx/Flickr
4. Two other cities were the capital before Springfield: Kaskaskia and Vandalia
Matt Turner/Flickr
5. Illinois was the first state to abolish slavery
loomingy1/Flickr
6. The state snack food (didn't know that was a thing!) is popcorn
Andrew Rivett/Flickr

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7. The four stars on the Chicago flag stand for: Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition
Jim Larrison/Flickr
8. Illinois has the largest bottle of ketchup
Doug Kerr/Flickr
9. The word jazz was first coined in Chicago by Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman
Fabio Venni/Flickr
10. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the nation's oldest public zoo
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
11. Twinkies were invented in River Forest
Christian Cable/Flickr
12. 80% of Illinois land is farmland
Roger W/Flickr

Know any other Illinois trivia? Let us know in the comments.

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