ILLINOIS – On this Day in 1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state of the United States. The milestone is celebrated annually as Illinois Statehood Day.
Our state’s early history saw Native American tribes like the Illiniwek inhabit the region, followed by European exploration and settlement by the French in the late 1600s. After British and American governance transitions, Illinois became its own territory in 1809 and achieved statehood after drafting its first constitution in 1818.
Despite challenges such as prairie agriculture and debates over slavery, Illinois thrived through innovations like John Deere’s steel plow and infrastructure projects like the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
By the mid-19th century, Illinois had transformed into an agricultural and transportation hub, with Chicago as a central economic center. Read more about Illinois Statehood Day at The Caucus Blog.