Seventeen Kentucky facts

1. Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America.
2. The origin of Kentucky's name does not have a consensus. The most likely etymology is that it comes from an Iroquoian word kenhtake meaning "meadow" or "prairie"
3. The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
4. Kentucky's economic growth during the first half of the 19th century was marked by the development of large-scale commercial agriculture, especially the growing of hemp and tobacco.
5. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth (the others being Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts).
6. The radio was invented by a Kentuckian named Nathan B. Stubblefield of Murray in 1892.
7. Originally a part of Virginia, in 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union.
8. Kentucky statesman Henry Clay became known in Congress as the Great Pacificator for his leading role in the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise Measures of 1850.
9. Kentucky is the 37th largest state in terms of total area, the 36th largest in land area, and ranks 26th in population.
10. Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave and was first promoted in 1816, making it the second oldest tourist attraction in the United States.
11. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the fact that native bluegrass is present in many of the pastures throughout the state, based on the fertile soil.
12. Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Green.
13. Cheeseburgers were first served in 1934 at Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville.
14. Capital: Frankfort.
15. Kentucky is also known for thoroughbred horses, horse racing, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, and college basketball.
16. More than $6 billion worth of gold is held in the underground vaults of Fort Knox. This is the largest amount of gold stored anywhere in the world.
17. The world's largest free-swinging bell known as the World Peace Bell is on permanent display in Newport.