Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
See the fact file below for more information about Kentucky or download the comprehensive worksheet collection to use within the homeschooling or classroom environment.
State Facts & Information
- Kentucky got its name from the Indian word “Kenhtahkeh” which means meadowland. It is nicknamed the Bluegrass State because majority of the Kentucky region is covered in bluegrass.
- During the 16th century, the area now known as Kentucky was inhabited by several Native American Indian tribes: Iroquois, Hokan Sioux, Muskogee, and Yuchi. Today, there are only two recognized state tribes left in the area: Southern Cherokee Nation and Ridgetop Shawnee.
- In the early 17th century, French explorers began the rediscovery of the area. Settlements were organized until the mid-18th century. By 1790, the United States government reported that 1,500 settlers had been killed by Native American Indian tribes.
- On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state of the Union. The military veteran, Isaac Shelby, became Kentucky’s first elected governor.
- In the 19th century, central Kentucky was the home of the most slave owners. Louisville became the major market and port for slaves.
- On November 20, 1861, the Confederate Government of Kentucky was established, with Bowling Green as its capital.
- Former U.S President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were born in Kentucky.
- Kentucky is one of the four states comprising the Commonwealth with Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts being the others.
- The Kentucky Derby has been held annually since 1875. It is the oldest continuous horse race in the U.S and is also known as the Run for the Roses.
- The Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world and the second oldest tourist attraction in America next to New York’s Niagara Falls.
- In 1893, Louisville sisters Mildred and Patty Hills composed the song “Good Morning To All” which is now known as “Happy Birthday To You.”
- Colonel Sanders, owner and operator of Kentucky Fried Chicken, established the first branch in Corbin, Kentucky.
- After Kentucky’s statehood, Lexington became the state capital followed by Frankfort.
- Frankfort became the only Union State capital that was occupied by the Confederate troops.
- In 1780, Washington, Kentucky became the first town to be named after the president (George Washington).
- The largest gold reserve in the world is located in Fort Knox, Kentucky. The United States Bullion Depository safely stored about 8000 tons of gold.
- In 1893, Thomas Edison introduced the electric bulb to the public at the Southern Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.
- It is the only U.S state with a continuous border of rivers – Mississippi River, Ohio River, Big Sandy River, and Tug Fork.
- Barren County is the most fertile land in Kentucky while Christian County is wet and Bourbon County is dry.
- In 1887, Mother’s Day was first observed in Henderson by a teacher, Mary S. Wilson. By 1916, it became a national holiday.
- Frankfort Cemetery was the burial site of Daniel Boone and his wife.
- Most of the Americans killed during the War of 1812 were from Kentucky.
- The world’s largest coal producer is Pike County.
- Some of the most famous Kentuckians are Abraham Lincoln (U.S President), Jefferson Davis (Confederate President), Alben Barkley (U.S Vice President) and Carrie Nation (Social Reformer).
Additional Quick Facts:
Capital
Frankfort
Became a State
June 1,1782 (15th)
Location
east central United States
Area
40,409 sq miles (37th)
Population
4,339,367 (26th)
Major Cities
Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Covington
Products
horses, cattle, tobacco, dairy products, hogs, soybeans, corn
Climate
humid, sub-tropical
Yearly Precipitation
averages 46 inches
Professional Sports Teams
no professional sport teams
Major Waterways
Mississippi River. Ohio River, Big Sandy River, Big Fork River, Tennessee River, Cumberland River, Green River, Licking River Kentucky Lake
Most Famous Citizens
Alben Barkley (United Sates Vice President)
Kit Carson (trapper, soldier)
Stephen Foster (composer)
Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederate States of America)
Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United Sates)
Carrie Nation (social reformer)
State Symbols
Bird – Cardinal
Flower – Goldenrod
Animal – Grey Squirrel
Tree – Tulip Tree
Insect – Viceroy Butterfly
Kentucky Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Kentucky Worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state located in the east south-central region of the United States.
What’s included?
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Kentucky Facts
- The Bluegrass State
- Famous Kentuckians
- Name, City and County
- Lincoln v. Davis
- State Symbols
- Cherokee and Shawnee Nation
- Kentucky Flag
- Kentucky Landmarks
- 1893 Southern Exposition
- First in Kentucky
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Kentucky Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 11, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.