Ohio ranks second among states in terms of producing presidents. Seven were born here; however, eight are considered state residents. Unfortunately, half of them perished while in office. Likewise, the Americans and the British desired to settle in Ohio, contributing to the Revolutionary War’s cause.
- Ohio didn’t receive the presidential recognition for almost 150 years
While Ohio was constituted a state in 1803 (with Thomas Jefferson’s approval of its boundaries and constitution), it did not receive presidential recognition until 1953. Ohio’s admission to the union was signed and backdated by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- The Ohio river means the massive river
The Ohio River inspired the state’s name. The name Ohio is derived from the Iroquois word ohi-yo’, which means “big river.” The state of Ohio boasts nearly 40,000 miles of waterways.
- William Henry Harrison served the shortest tenure as a president
Only one of Ohio’s eight presidents (Ulysses S. Grant) served two full terms, and four died in office. William Henry Harrison was born in Virginia but relocated to Ohio after marrying his North Bend-born wife, and he became an Ohio Senator.
He served the shortest presidency of any president, passing away from pneumonia one month after making the longest inauguration speech in US presidential history.
- The presidential elections were often known as ‘decision state’
When it comes to presidential elections, Ohio is often referred to as the “decision state.” Because only eight presidents have lost in Ohio and gone on to win the presidency. John F. Kennedy was the last US President to be elected without winning Ohio in 1960.
- Ohio was home to ‘Mound Builders’ tribe
Across the Ohio region, ancient tribes of “Mound Builders” left about 6,000 burial mounds and forts. The Miamisburg Mound is the state’s and possibly the eastern United States’ largest conical burial mound.
When European explorers first landed here in the 1600s, they discovered Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot, and Miami, American tribes. Rene’-Robert Cavelier, a Frenchman, is thought to have been the first white man to enter the Ohio region around 1670.
- “Every path leads through here” is often used for promoting the tourism
“The Heart of It All” is more than simply a catchphrase to promote tourism in Ohio. Within 500 miles of Ohio’s state capital, Columbus is home to roughly half of the United States population.
- They have one-of-a-kind flag
The state flag of Ohio is not rectangular like the other state flags. Its pennant design is unique. According to the Ohio State Flag Law, the flag must be folded 17 times to commemorate Ohio as the 17th state to join the union.
- Several significant inventions have also come from the state
In 1911, the self-starting car engine was designed, saving drivers from cramming the engine to start the car physically. The traffic signal was invented here in 1923 to reduce vehicle and buggy accidents. Ohio also gave birth to several items, such as Life Savers sweets and hot dogs.
- In Ohio, the Wright Brothers invented the airplane
The brothers lived in Dayton, Ohio, studying and testing aviation components for years. A common misperception regarding the invention is that it was created in North Carolina. Nonetheless, it was designed and produced in Ohio.
The initial flight took done in North Carolina since the flying conditions were better than in Ohio. On December 17th, 1903, they successfully flew the plane. Even though the flight took place in North Carolina, the plane is thought to have been invented in Dayton.
- Ohio is the seventeenth state
One of the intriguing facts about the state of Ohio is that Congress officially recognized its statehood on February 19th, 1803. The actual date, however, is March 1st, as that is when the Ohio legislature first gathered. The official date of Ohio statehood was amended to March 1st, 1953, by the United States Congress.
- The Ohio buckeye tree is a natural resource in Ohio
It is a common tree in Ohio, largely in the state’s western half. Because of the alkaline soil in Ohio, the tree thrives. The only areas of the state where the tree does not grow are in the extreme northeastern and southeastern corners.
- Canton, Ohio, is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a well-known monument in Ohio. The best and most influential players, coaches, and personnel in professional football history, primarily from the NFL, are honored here.
The Hall of Fame has approximately 360 members, with new members being inducted each year. The Hall of Fame also houses a large collection of football memorabilia.
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland, Ohio
The museum honors the most influential persons in rock music history. A specific hall is dedicated to the honorees and their accomplishments. The majority of the museum is dedicated to the evolution of rock & roll music over time. Special items such as records and other important items are also kept in the museum.
- Ohio has a population of over 11,780,000 people
It is the sixth most populous state in the United States. The majority of the population lives in cities. In that order, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Parma, Canton, Lorain, and Hamilton are the most populous cities in the state.
- Rural areas are home to over 20% of the state’s population
This translates to around 2,310,000 persons. These people are not considered part of any of Ohio’s metro areas; hence they are classified as rural or non-metro.
- Superman was born in Cleveland, Ohio
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Cleveland neighbors, invented him in 1933. They began producing comic strips featuring Superman, and his popularity grew.
They sold Superman’s rights to DC Comics for $135 in 1938. They were eventually paid the additional money and credited for creating the hero.
- The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team
The team was founded in 1869 and was initially known as the Red Stockings. They began by playing amateur teams and won their first 81 games in a row. Since then, the team has won five World Series championships and continues to play its home games in Cincinnati.
- Ohio had the first police automobile
It was a wagon that first appeared in Akron, Ohio, around 1899. A battery powered the wagon and could go at a speed of 16 miles per hour. It had a range of up to 30 miles until the battery died. The police department spent $2,400 on the vehicle.
- The National US Air Force Museum is located in Dayton, Ohio
One of the interesting facts about Ohio is that it is home to the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum, the National US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
More than 350 planes and missiles are on show at the museum. The museum is free to enter, and over one million people visit it each year.
- Neil Armstrong was born in Ohio
He was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 30, 1930. In 1969, he became the first person to walk on the moon. During their space voyage, he and Buzz Aldrin, the second person to step on the moon, spent nearly a day exploring the moon.
- Columbus is the state capital of Ohio
Columbus is the 14th most populous city in the United States. The city was founded in 1812 to become the state capital of Ohio. The government relocated to the city from the former capital city of Chillicothe in 1816.
- The cardinal is Ohio’s state bird
In 1933, the cardinal was named the official state bird. The Cardinals were not originally from Ohio. There were considerably more woodlands in the area before Europeans arrived, which cardinals did not inhabit.
Yet, when more people moved to Ohio, the woodlands were removed, and cardinals began to inhabit the state. The contemporary environment is more similar to their original habitat, and cardinals may now be found throughout the state.
- The white-tailed deer is the state animal of Ohio
The deer was chosen as the state’s official animal in 1988 because it plays an essential role in the state’s history. People in the area have traditionally hunted white-tailed deer for food, clothes, and tools to help them survive.
- The red carnation is Ohio’s state flower.
The flower was designated as the official state flower in 1904 as a gesture to remember President McKinley, who died six months into his second term. He used to wear a red carnation on his jacket when he was alive; therefore, the flower was connected with him.
- The state motto of Ohio is “With God, Everything Is Possible.”
The motto was chosen in 1959 after a 12-year-old kid suggested it in a contest. The motto is controversial since it invokes God and may violate the First Amendment. Nonetheless, it has not been changed, and there are four additional states with a motto that includes the word “God.”
- The Ohio flint is the official gemstone of Ohio
The diamond was designated as the state gemstone in 1965 since it is abundant in the state. The majority of it is in Ohio’s east and center. Native Americans utilized the gemstone to construct tools and weapons. It is now used to make jewelry.
- Tomato juice is the state drink of Ohio
It was first used in 1965. Tomato production for commercial consumption began in 1870 and has been an important element of Ohio’s agricultural economy.
In this article, we have studied about various facts about Ohio. To know more, keep following this webste.
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