12 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Illinois

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"

2. Peoria is the oldest community in Illinois

3. Four presidents were either born in Illinois or were from Illinois: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama

4. Two other cities were the capital before Springfield: Kaskaskia and Vandalia

5. Illinois was the first state to abolish slavery

6. The state snack food (didn't know that was a thing!) is popcorn

7. The four stars on the Chicago flag stand for: Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition

8. Illinois has the largest bottle of ketchup

9. The word jazz was first coined in Chicago by Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman

10. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the nation's oldest public zoo

11. Twinkies were invented in River Forest

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

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12 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The State Of Illinois

Laura

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