History of Kentucky facts for kids

The history of Kentucky goes back thousands of years. It has been shaped by its different landscapes and its central location in the United States. Humans likely lived in Kentucky before 10,000 BCE. Over time, people slowly changed from hunting and gathering to farming around 1800 BCE. By 900 CE, the Mississippian culture grew in western and central Kentucky. The Fort Ancient culture appeared in eastern Kentucky. These cultures were similar, but the Fort Ancient people did not build the large, ceremonial earthen mounds like the Mississippians.

The first Europeans arrived in Kentucky in the late 1600s. They came by the Ohio River from the north and through the Appalachian Mountains from the southeast. In 1769, Daniel Boone found the Cumberland Gap, a natural pass through the mountains. His knowledge of the area soon caught the attention of Judge Richard Henderson. Meanwhile, the first lasting European-American settlement, Harrod's Town, was founded in 1774. It was started by the government of Virginia.

In 1775, Henderson and Boone formed the Transylvania Company. They made a deal with the Cherokee people for lands west of the Cumberland Gap. Boone then built the Wilderness Road. This 200-mile road helped many settlers move to Kentucky. It ended at Boonesborough, where the Transylvania Colony was founded. Leaders met there on May 23, 1775, to write the "Kentucke Magna Charta."

On January 1, 1777, the area officially became Kentucky County, Virginia. This was under Governor Patrick Henry. Within 15 years, Kentucky County was split into nine new counties. On June 1, 1792, the Commonwealth of Kentucky became the 15th U.S. state. Isaac Shelby was chosen as its first governor.

Early People of Kentucky

Paleoindian Era: First Humans (9,500 BCE – 7,500 BCE)

It's thought that people lived in Kentucky before 10,000 BCE. However, scientists haven't found much proof yet. Stone tools like arrowheads are the main clues about these early people. Paleoindian groups were small, usually 20–50 people. They moved their camps often. Everyone in the group was equal, with no formal leaders. Scientists believe these early Americans came from Siberia in Asia.

After the last Ice age, around 8000–7000 BCE, Kentucky's weather became more stable. This led to more people and new tools. People started to live in one place for longer. The warming climate caused large Ice Age animals like mammoths and mastodons to die out or move north. No human bones from this time have been found in Kentucky.

Archaic Era: Adapting to Change (7,500 BCE – 1,000 BCE)

Around 7500 BCE, many large animals died out. This big change affected the people of Kentucky. By 4000 BCE, people in Kentucky started using wetland plants and animals. They created large shell piles, which were like ancient trash dumps. These piles show that Archaic people lived in permanent spots.

Animals like white-tailed deer, mussels, and fish were important food sources. The atlatl, a tool for throwing spears faster, appeared during this time. Other tools included axes, pestles, and bone tools. They also used "hominy holes" to grind nuts and seeds.

People along the Green and Cumberland Rivers buried their dogs. At the Indian Knoll site in Kentucky, many artifacts and dog burials were found. This shows dogs were special to these people. The Cherokee believed dogs were spiritual and sacred. The Yuchi tribe also lived near the Green River. The Indian Knoll site is over 5,000 years old. It was a good place to live because of the food and mussels.

By the end of the Archaic period, people were growing a type of squash. They used it for its seeds and as containers.

Woodland Era: Growing and Building (1,000 BCE – 900 AD)

Around 1800 BCE, Native Americans in Kentucky began growing wild plants. They slowly moved from hunting and gathering to farming. The Woodland era was a time of steady growth. People improved their homes, tools, and farming methods. They also started making textiles and working with leather.

Archaeologists have found signs of different Woodland groups. These include the Adena culture and the Hopewell tradition. Some tribes traded for materials like copper from Lake Superior and obsidian from the Rocky Mountains.

Pottery became very important around 1,000 BCE. Woodland pottery was more detailed and useful than older pots. It was used for cooking and storing food. Around 200 BCE, maize (corn) farming came to the eastern U.S. This slowly changed Kentucky's farming to be based on corn. Woodland people also grew ragweeds, amaranth, and maygrass. They also grew tobacco for smoking.

Later in this era, the bow and arrow became common. This is shown by smaller arrowheads. Between 100 BCE and 450 BCE, people started building burial mounds. These mounds were often 10 to 20 feet high. This practice led to these people being called the "Mound builders" by later observers. As farming grew, people started living in permanent villages.

Mississippian Era: Advanced Farming (900 AD – 1750 AD)

By 900 CE, a new type of corn became very productive. This led to a corn-based farming system in the Mississippian era. Village life centered around planting, growing, and harvesting corn and beans. These two crops made up 60% of their diet. They used stone and bone hoes for farming. They also grew the "Three Sisters": corn, beans, and squash.

white-tailed deer were the main hunted animal. Mississippian pottery was more detailed than before. It included paintings and decorations. They made many types of pots, including bottles, plates, and jars. Some even had human or animal shapes.

Ancient Mississippians lived in rectangular houses built on large platform mounds. Their houses had decorated walls. They lived year-round in large towns, some with fences for protection. An average town had about 2,000 people. Larger towns with mounds and plazas were centers for ceremonies and leaders. They were built near rivers for farming and travel.

A Mississippian culture grew in western Kentucky. A Fort Ancient culture was in eastern Kentucky. The Fort Ancient culture did not have the large temple mounds or chiefs' houses like the Mississippian culture.

Many Mississippian town sites exist in Kentucky. These include the Wickliffe Mounds and the Rowlandton Mound Site. These sites show that communities had social structures with leaders. French explorers in the 1600s saw many tribes in Kentucky. However, the Beaver Wars in the 1670s caused many tribes to move.

Tribes known to have lived in Kentucky include the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Delaware, Mosopelea, Shawnee, Wyandot, and Yuchi. Hunting groups from other tribes also visited Kentucky.

First European Visitors to Kentucky

French Explorers and Traders

Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle was a French explorer. He claimed all the land along the Mississippi River Valley, including Kentucky, for France. In 1669, he may have traveled down the Ohio River to Louisville. In 1673, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, also French explorers, passed by Kentucky on their trip down the Mississippi River.

In 1729, Garpard-Joseph Chaussegroes de Lery, a French engineer, mapped parts of the Ohio River. His men found large bones of ancient animals, like mammoths, near Big Bone Lick State Park. These bones were sent to a museum in Paris. In 1739, Charles III Le Moyne, a French leader, led an expedition down the Ohio River. They met with local chiefs near the Scioto River.

English Explorers and Traders

In 1673, Gabriel Arthur, an Englishman, traveled with a Native American chief. He explored parts of what is now Kentucky and West Virginia. His stories gave the first detailed information about the land and its tribes. He was one of the first Europeans to cross the Cumberland Gap.

In 1693, Arnout Viele, a Dutchman working for the English, explored the Ohio River valley. He aimed to set up trade with the Shawnee. He spent most of 1693 exploring northern Kentucky with his Shawnee hosts.

In 1742, John Howard and John Peter Salling led a group from Virginia to the Mississippi River. They traveled along Kentucky's northern border. Salling is known for finding coal in the United States during this trip. In 1749, Pierre Joseph Céloron de Blainville, a French officer, tried to strengthen France's claim on the Ohio Valley. He placed lead plates along the Ohio River. He also told English traders to leave, but most refused.

Native American Villages Before European Settlement

Eskippakithiki: A Shawnee Village

Eskippakithiki, also called Indian Old Fields, was the last Shawnee village in Kentucky. It was located in Clark County. In 1736, it had about 200 families. The village was protected by a strong fence and had 3500 acres of cleared land for crops.

John Finley, who later showed Daniel Boone the Kentucky flatlands, lived and traded in Eskippakithiki in 1752. This village was mentioned in one of the first letters using the word "Kentucky." Later, the town was burned down.

Shannoah: A Trading Hub

Shannoah, also known as Lower Shawneetown, was a Shawnee village at the mouth of the Scioto River. It was a key place for trade and talks with other tribes and Europeans. Mary Draper Ingles, the first white woman to see Kentucky, was taken here in 1755. The village was abandoned around 1758, possibly due to a flood or the French and Indian War.

What Does "Kentucky" Mean?

The exact meaning of the name "Kentucky" is not fully known. Some ideas include:

• An Iroquois word meaning "land of tomorrow" or "meadow land."
• An Algonquian term referring to a "river bottom."
• A Shawnee word meaning "at the head of a river."
• An Indian word meaning land of "cane and turkeys."

It does NOT mean "dark and bloody ground." In early pioneer times, the name was spelled in different ways, like Kentucke or Kaintuckee.

Kentucky's official nickname is the "Bluegrass State." This comes from the famous bluegrass found in central Kentucky. The nickname also shows how important the Bluegrass region has been to Kentucky's economy and history.

Founding of Harrod's Town

Before 1750, Kentucky was mainly home to Native American tribes like the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee. Early British explorers, like Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750, visited the area.

France lost its claims to Kentucky after being defeated by the British in the French and Indian War in 1763. The Iroquois also sold their land claims in Kentucky to the British in 1768.

In 1774, Harrod's Town became Kentucky's first permanent white settlement. James Harrod led an expedition to survey land for soldiers. They traveled down the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers to the Kentucky River. On June 16, 1774, they started Harrod's Town.

Soon after, Daniel Boone was sent to call the men back to fight in Lord Dunmore's War. This war ended with the Shawnee giving up their claims to lands south of the Ohio River. On March 8, 1775, Harrod led settlers back to Harrodstown to stay.

The defeat of the Shawnee in 1774 made land buyers in North Carolina hopeful. Richard Henderson learned that the Cherokee wanted to sell land. From March 14-17, 1775, Henderson, Boone, and others met with Cherokee leaders. They signed the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals. One Cherokee leader, Dragging Canoe, did not agree. He warned that the lands would become "dark and bloody" if settlers came.

The American Revolution in Kentucky

After 1775, Kentucky grew quickly. Settlers from Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania came through the Cumberland Gap and on the Ohio River. Daniel Boone was one of the most famous early settlers. During this time, people started growing crops like tobacco, corn, and hemp to sell. However, Native Americans fought against white settlement. By 1776, there were fewer than 200 settlers in Kentucky.

During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), more settlers arrived. Dragging Canoe led his group in wars against the Americans. Most Shawnees also fought with the British against the Americans.

Lexington, Kentucky's second-largest city, is named after Lexington, Massachusetts. This was the site of an early battle in the Revolution. Kentucky was a battleground during the war. The Battle of Blue Licks, one of the last major battles, was fought there. The Americans were defeated.

Militia Leaders in Kentucky

After Kentucky County was formed in 1777, local militias were set up. Important leaders included:

• George Rogers Clark – Brigadier General
• John Bowman – Colonel
• Benjamin Logan – Captain
• Daniel Boone – Captain
• James Harrod – Captain

In 1780, Kentucky County was divided into three new counties: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Each had its own militia leaders. In 1781, Governor Thomas Jefferson made George Rogers Clark a general. Clark was the highest-ranking militia officer in Kentucky.

After the Revolution

The westernmost part of Kentucky was recognized as hunting ground for the Chickasaw tribe until 1818. This area is still sometimes called the Jackson Purchase.

Kentucky Becomes the 15th U.S. State

People in Kentucky wanted to separate from Virginia for several reasons. First, traveling to Virginia's capital was long and dangerous. Second, they needed Virginia's permission to fight Native American raids. Third, Virginia did not see how important trade on the Mississippi River was to Kentucky. Virginia stopped trade with the Spanish colony of New Orleans, which controlled the mouth of the Mississippi. This hurt Kentucky's economy.

As Kentucky's population grew, these problems became bigger. In 1784, Benjamin Logan called a meeting in Danville to discuss a new government. Over the next few years, nine more meetings were held. At one meeting, James Wilkinson suggested leaving both Virginia and the U.S. to join Spain. But this idea was rejected.

In 1788, Virginia agreed to Kentucky becoming a state. However, the U.S. Congress was busy setting up the new U.S. Constitution. So, Kentucky's statehood was delayed.

Kentucky's final push for statehood began in April 1792. Delegates met in Danville to write Kentucky's first Constitution. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky officially became the 15th state in the Union.

Before the Civil War (Antebellum Period)

Economy and Transportation

Selling land was a big way to make money for early settlers. Most Kentuckians were farmers. They grew their own food, especially corn, which they used to feed hogs and make whiskey. They earned cash by selling tobacco, hemp, horses, and mules. Hemp was used for bags and ropes. Tobacco needed a lot of work, so many farmers from Maryland and Virginia moved to Kentucky. Tobacco farms in the Bluegrass region used enslaved labor, but on a smaller scale than cotton farms in the Deep South.

Good transportation was key to Kentucky's economy. New roads, canals, and railroads helped many people move to the state. Surveyors who mapped the land also made a lot of money.

Kentuckians loved horses. They used them for travel, farm work, breeding, and racing. By 1800, there were 90,000 horses in the state. Breeding Thoroughbred horses for racing became a special skill in the Bluegrass region. The famous Kentucky Derby started in Louisville in 1875. Mules were also important because they were cheaper than horses and good for small farms.

Religion and the Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening, a religious movement, caused many churches to grow in Kentucky. Revivals and missionaries brought many new members to Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Christian churches. In August 1801, a large revival happened at the Cane Ridge Meeting House. Thousands of people gathered for a week of preaching and singing.

The Baptists grew strong in Kentucky. Many moved from Virginia as a group, like "The Travelling Church" in 1781. Some of these groups included enslaved people. Peter Durrett, an enslaved Baptist preacher, founded the First African Baptist Church in Lexington around 1790. This was the oldest Black Baptist church in Kentucky. By 1850, it was the largest church in the state.

Many people who were against slavery also moved to Kentucky. This caused disagreements in churches over whether owning slaves was right. The churches split, and the anti-slavery view became less common.

Natural Disasters and Wars

In late 1811 and early 1812, western Kentucky was hit by the New Madrid earthquake. This was the largest earthquake recorded in the U.S. It even changed the course of the Mississippi River.

During the War of 1812, Isaac Shelby led Kentucky soldiers into battle. Most Americans who died in this war were from Kentucky.

Kentucky also paid close attention to the Mexican–American War in 1846. Some people supported the war, hoping it would bring new lands for slavery. Others, like the Whigs led by Henry Clay, were against it. Kentucky easily met its goal of 2500 volunteer troops. Kentucky units fought well in battles like Monterey. The war helped the Democratic Party become stronger in the state.

Louisville and Lexington: Growing Cities

Kentucky was mostly rural, but two important cities grew before the Civil War. Lexington was the center of the Bluegrass Region. It was known for tobacco, hemp, and breeding horses. Many rich farmers lived there, including politician Henry Clay. Lexington was seen as a cultural center.

Louisville, located at the falls of the Ohio River, became the largest city. Trade grew with steamboats on the river. The city had strong trade ties down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. It also became a major market where thousands of enslaved people from the Upper South were sold to the Deep South. Railroads also helped Louisville become the state's main business center.

The central part of Kentucky had the most enslaved African Americans. Their labor supported the tobacco farms. Many families moved from here to Missouri, taking their culture and enslaved people with them.

From the mid-1800s, many Irish and German Catholic immigrants came to Louisville. The Irish were escaping the Great Famine. The Germans came after revolutions in their home country. These groups helped Louisville's industries grow.

Attempted Mass Escape of Enslaved People (1848)

In 1848, an Irishman named Edward James "Patrick" Doyle tried to lead a group of 75 enslaved African Americans to freedom in Ohio. This was not an uprising, but a large escape attempt. The armed group traveled from Fayette County to Bracken County. They were met by General Lucius Desha and 100 white men. After a shootout, 40 enslaved people escaped into the woods and were never caught. The others were captured and returned to their owners. Patrick Doyle was jailed for 20 years.

Bloody Monday Riots (1855)

On August 6, 1855, known as "Bloody Monday," riots happened in Louisville. White Protestants, part of the Know-Nothing Party, attacked German, Irish, and Catholic neighborhoods on election day. Many street fights broke out. Between 22 and over 100 people died, and many were hurt. Property was burned and looted. No one was convicted for these crimes.

Civil War Period (1861–1865)

By 1860, Kentucky had over a million people. About 25% of them were enslaved, mostly in the Bluegrass Region and cities like Louisville and Lexington. Louisville was a big slave market, selling many enslaved people to the Deep South. Kentucky had strong trade ties to both the East and West. Many Kentuckians had family in Tennessee and Missouri.

Kentucky was a border state during the American Civil War. It officially stayed neutral at first. But on September 4, 1861, Confederate General Leonidas Polk invaded Columbus, Kentucky. In response, Union General Ulysses S. Grant entered Paducah, Kentucky. On September 7, 1861, Kentucky's state government declared its loyalty to the Union. In November 1861, some people who supported the South tried to set up a different government in Kentucky, but they failed.

On August 13, 1862, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith invaded Kentucky. On August 28, 1862, Confederate General Braxton Bragg also entered Kentucky. The Confederates won the Battle of Perryville, but Bragg had to retreat. Kentucky remained under Union control for the rest of the war.

After the Civil War (Reconstruction)

Kentucky was a slave state but did not leave the Union. So, it was not occupied by the military during Reconstruction. However, it was overseen by the Freedmen's Bureau, which helped set up fair labor contracts for newly freed people. Kentucky rejected the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution at first. But it had to follow them once they were passed for the whole country.

Democrats won the 1865 election. They quickly gave citizenship back to former Confederates.

Feuds in the Mountains

In the late 1800s, Kentucky became known for violent family feuds, especially in the eastern Appalachian mountains. These feuds often involved assassinations, fires, and gunfights. Some were linked to local Civil War conflicts. Journalists wrote about the violence, often using stereotypes about mountain people. However, the main people involved were often wealthy local leaders fighting for power.

The Gilded Age and Social Changes

During the Gilded Age, the women's suffrage movement grew in Kentucky. Laura Clay, daughter of Cassius Clay, was a key leader. At the same time, a movement to ban alcohol started. This was opposed by whiskey makers and saloon owners.

Kentucky's hemp industry declined as other sources of rope fiber became popular. This led to more tobacco farming, which was already the state's biggest cash crop.

Louisville, Kentucky, was the first city in the U.S. to use the Australian secret ballot in elections in 1888. This meant people could vote in secret.

Assassination of Governor Goebel (1900)

In the late 1800s, many German immigrants settled in northern Kentucky cities like Louisville. William Goebel was a famous German-American leader. He became a state senator in 1887 and gained control of the state Democratic party. Goebel's 1895 election law changed how votes were counted, giving power to officials controlled by the Democrats.

In the 1899 governor's election, Republican William S. Taylor seemed to win. But the Democratic-controlled Kentucky Senate started an investigation. Taylor's supporters gathered an armed force. On January 19, 1900, over 1,500 armed civilians took over the Capitol.

On January 30, 1900, Goebel was shot by a sniper as he approached the Capitol. Even though he was badly hurt, Goebel was sworn in as Governor the next day. He died on February 3, 1900.

For almost four months, Kentucky had two people acting as governor: Taylor and J. C. W. Beckham, Goebel's running mate. The U.S. Supreme Court finally decided that Goebel was the rightful governor. Since Beckham was his running mate, Beckham became governor. Taylor then fled to Indiana. Kentucky leaders worked to calm the state after this near civil war.

Early 1900s: Coal and Migrations

The coal industry grew quickly in Kentucky around the early 1900s and World War I. Many Kentuckians became coal miners, especially in the Appalachian region. While mining created jobs, working conditions were tough. It also caused environmental problems. Many African Americans left Kentucky for better jobs in northern cities as part of the Great Migration. White people from rural areas also moved to industrial cities.

World War I and the 1920s

During World War I, Kentucky saw prices go up. Many roads were built for the growing number of cars. The war also led to thousands of acres of Kentucky timber being cut down.

Tobacco and whiskey industries did well in the 1910s. However, Prohibition, which started in 1920, hurt the economy. It banned alcohol, leading to widespread bootlegging. Some people in eastern Kentucky made their own illegal liquor, called "moonshine."

In the 1920s, reformers focused on stopping gambling. This movement was supported by religious groups and the Ku Klux Klan. Congressman Alben W. Barkley became a leader against gambling. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1926 and later became the Senate leader for the Democrats.

The Great Depression (1930s)

Like the rest of the world, Kentucky faced hard times during the Great Depression. There was high unemployment and little economic growth. People in Harlan County fought in the Harlan County Coal War against coal mine owners. Unions were eventually formed, and working conditions improved.

New Deal programs helped Kentucky a lot. They improved schools and built roads and telephone lines. Rural electrification brought electricity to many areas. The Kentucky Dam and its power plant improved life for people in Western Kentucky. The Cumberland River and Mississippi River also saw improvements for travel and flood control.

The 1937 Flood

In January 1937, the Ohio River flooded for three months. One-third of Kenton and Campbell counties were underwater. 70% of Louisville was flooded for over a week. Other cities like Paducah were also badly hit. This led to many efforts to prevent floods in the future.

World War II (1940s)

World War II made industry more important than agriculture in Kentucky. Fort Knox expanded, and a factory was built in Louisville. Louisville became the world's largest producer of artificial rubber. Shipyards created many skilled jobs. Louisville's Ford factory made almost 100,000 Jeeps during the war. The war also increased the demand for higher education and technical skills.

Kentuckians in the War

Many Kentuckians served in World War II. Husband E. Kimmel from Henderson County commanded the Pacific Fleet. Sixty-six men from Harrodsburg were on the Bataan Death March. Franklin Sousley, a Kentucky native, was one of the men shown raising the flag at Iwo Jima. 7,917 Kentuckians died in the war, and 306,364 served. Rose Will Monroe, one of the models for "Rosie the Riveter," was from Pulaski County.

Mid-20th Century (1945–1980)

After the war, the Interstate Highway System connected even remote parts of Kentucky. Agriculture remained important, but industry grew more. By 1970, more Kentuckians lived in cities than in rural areas. Tobacco farming is still a key part of the state's economy.

In the 1950s, 13% of Kentuckians moved out of state for economic reasons. The song "Readin', Rightin', Route 23" refers to how many rural Kentuckians traveled U.S. Route 23 north to find jobs outside of coal mines.

Civil Rights Movement

In the 1960s, local civil rights protests led to the end of segregation at places like the Woolworth's Store in Lexington. Governor Edward T. Breathitt was a strong leader for civil rights. In his 1963 campaign, he promised to support a bill against discrimination. He won the election.

In 1964, a large rally for civil rights was held in Kentucky. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and others attended. In January 1966, Governor Breathitt signed Kentucky's Civil Rights Act. This law ended racial discrimination in public places like bathrooms and restaurants. It also outlawed discrimination in jobs. Martin Luther King Jr. called it "the strongest and most important comprehensive civil-rights bill passed by a Southern state."

Louisville Riot (1968)

Two months after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, a riot happened in Louisville's West End on May 27, 1968. A protest against police actions turned violent. The National Guard was called in. 472 people were arrested. There was $200,000 in damages, and two young men were killed.

UK Anti-Vietnam War Riots (1970)

On May 5, 1970, after the Kent State shootings, students at the University of Kentucky burned down the ROTC building. This was a protest against the Vietnam War. The National Guard and State Police were called to enforce a curfew.

Reconstruction Amendments Ratified (1976)

On March 18, 1976, Kentucky officially ratified the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This corrected a historical oversight, as Kentucky had rejected them earlier. Mae Street Kidd, a legislator, worked hard for their passage.

Late 20th Century (1981–1998)

Martha Layne Collins was Kentucky's first woman governor, serving from 1983 to 1987. She had been a teacher and worked for the Democratic party. As governor, she focused on education and economic growth. She was proud of bringing the Toyota plant to Georgetown, Kentucky, which created many jobs.

In 1990, Governor Wallace G. Wilkinson signed the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). This law completely changed Kentucky's public education system and was praised nationally.

Paul E. Patton, a Democrat, was the first governor who could serve two terms in a row due to a change in the state constitution. He won in 1995 and had success with most of his plans.

21st Century (1999 – Present)

After winning re-election in 1999, Governor Patton faced economic problems. Near the end of his term, he was accused of misusing his power. He also pardoned four former supporters who had broken campaign finance laws. His successor, Ernie Fletcher, was one of the few Republicans elected governor. He served from 2003 to 2007.

In 2000, Kentucky ranked low in the number of women in political offices. The state's political system had traditionally favored men.

Democrat Steve Beshear was elected governor in 2007 and again in 2011. He could not run again in 2015 due to term limits.

First State to Adopt Common Core

Kentucky was the first U.S. state to adopt Common Core. This happened in April 2009 under Governor Steve Beshear. In 2010, Kentucky's education board voted to fully adopt these new national standards. Because Kentucky was the first, the state received $17.5 million from the Gates Foundation.

First Southern State to Implement Obamacare

Kentucky was the first Southern state to put "Obamacare" into action in late 2013. This meant expanding Medicaid and starting Kynect.com, a state healthcare website. Governor Steve Beshear argued that Kentucky needed this because it ranked poorly in health categories like smoking and cancer deaths. Many Kentuckians did not have health insurance.

A study found that expanding Medicaid would bring billions of dollars into Kentucky's economy. It would also create thousands of new jobs. By October 2014, Kentucky saw a 42% drop in uninsured people. Over 521,000 Kentuckians signed up for healthcare using Kynect.com. About 75% of those who signed up had not had health coverage before. Governor Beshear called it "the most important decision I will get to make as governor."

Images for kids

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  The Native American Crab Orchard culture existed in western Kentucky and southern Indiana from about 200 BCE to 500 CE.

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  Artist's idea of Annis Mound and Village, a Mississippian site in Butler County, around 1250–1300 CE.

See also

In Spanish: Historia de Kentucky para niños