50 States: Ohio

OHIO

The 17th state in the Union is Ohio (OH). It became a state on March 1, 1803, by an act of Congress in 1953. The actual start date of statehood was never written down, so the date of the first meeting of the Ohio legislature was used. Ohio has an area of 44,825 square miles, making it the 34th largest state. More than 11.5 million people live here as of 2013.

The capital of Ohio is Columbus; this is also the largest city in the state. Upon achieving statehood, the capital was Chillicothe, then Zanesville, back to Chillicothe, then Columbus in 1816. The current governor is John Kasich.

The people who live in Ohio are called Ohioans. Some famous people born in this state include:

Neil Armstrong...astronaut

Halle Berry...actress

Mary Ann Bickerdyke...Civil War nurse

Joseph Brant...Mohawk Indian chief, Christian missionary, British military officer (here is one definitely worth researching!!)

Drew Carey...actor, now of "The Price is Right" fame

George Carruthers...physicist

George Custer...general

Thomas Edison...inventor

Guy Fieri...chef, television personality

Harvey Firestone...entrepreneur

Clark Gable...actor

James Garfield...US President

John Glenn...astronaut

Ulysses S. Grant...US President

Zane Grey...author

Scott Hamilton...ice skater

Warren G. Harding...US President

Benjamin Harrison...US President

Rutherford B. Hayes...US President

John Heisman...coach, football player

Maya Lin...architect

James A. Lovell, Jr...astronaut

Henry Mancini...conductor

William McKinley...US President

Paul Newman...actor

Annie Oakley...folk hero

Dr. Oz...television personality, surgeon

Norman Vincent Peale...author, minister

Pontiac...Native Indian chief

John D. Rockefeller, Jr...philanthropist

Roy Rogers...actor, guitarist

William Tecumseh Sherman...Civil War general

Steven Spielberg...director, producer

Billy Strayhorn...songwriter

William Howard Taft...US President

Granville T. Woods...inventor

Orville Wright...inventor

Cy Young...baseball player

Wow, seven presidents and three astronauts! This is quite an impressive list. There were more than 150 famous people born in Ohio. This list is just a sampling. Be sure to learn more about these people and the others who hail from Ohio.

The economy of Ohio is supported by many different manufactured products such as airplanes, cars, plastics, steel, and things made of rubber. Coal is mined here also, and some farming is done as well. Some of the Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered in Ohio are Kroger, Procter & Gamble, Marathon Petroleum, Nationwide Insurance, Macy's, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Progressive Insurance, Sherwin-Williams, Travel Centers of America, Big Lots, and J.M. Smucker.

Ohio's nicknames are "The Buckeye State" because of the countless buckeye trees that once grew in this state, "The Heart of It All" because of the state's shape and its location in the country, "The Mother of Presidents" for obvious reasons as can be seen above, and "Birthplace of Aviation" because it is the birthplace of Orville Wright and three astronauts.

Ohio's motto is "With God, All Things Are Possible." The state symbols of Ohio are as follows:

Bird...cardinal

Mammal...white-tailed deer

Insect...ladybug

Reptile...black racer snake

Flower...scarlet carnation

Tree...buckeye

Beverage...tomato juice

Ohio has the only state flag that is not a rectangle. It is called the Ohio burgee and is shaped like a pennant. The red and white stripes are similar to the US Flag. The blue triangle stands for the hills of Ohio. The 13 stars to the left of the white "O" stand for the first 13 colonies. Add to that the 4 white stars to the right, and you get 17. Ohio was the 17th state.

Here are some other interesting facts about Ohio:

*Cincinnati had the first ambulance service in 1865.

*The first traffic light went into service on August 5, 1914, in Cleveland.

*The cash register was invented by James Ritty in 1879.

*Police cars were first used in Akron.

*The hot dog was created by Harry M. Stevens and served first in 1900.

*Marietta was Ohio's first permanent settlement.

*The first automobile was made in 1891 by John Lambert.

*Teflon was invented in 1938 by Roy J. Plunkett.

If Ohio is in your travel plans, there are some sites you will probably want to add to your itinerary, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Cedar Point in Sandusky, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cincinnati Zoo, African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, the Toledo Zoo, the house from A Christmas Story, German Village in Columbus, National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, West Side Market in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, The Wilds in Columbus, and the Akron Zoo.

Those who are interested in touring historic homes will find an abundance in Ohio. In Akron, you can visit the Hower House, Perkins Stone Mansion, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. The Sauder Village in Archbold is a 19th-century village complete with blacksmith, glassblower, and tinsmith. Visit the Hale Farm and Village in Bath for a glimpse at what life was like on a farm in the mid 1800s. Bellevue boasts the Historic Lyme Village. The Century Village Museum is located in Burton. The Christian Waldschmidt House in Camp Dennison is an 1804 house built in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. It served as part of the Union Army's training camp.

Cincinnati is home to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, John Hauck House, Taft Museum, and the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Visit the Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont and the Robbins Hunter Museum in Granville. Lane-Hooven House is in Hamilton. The birthplace of William Tecumseh Sherman is open for tours in Lancaster. Marietta boasts "The Castle," and Marion is where you will find The President Harding Home and Museum. Spring Hill in Massillon was a stop on the underground railroad and is open for tours. President Garfield's home, Lawnfield, is located in Mentor. The Edison Birthplace Museum is located in Milan. The Victorian Preservation Association lists many more historic homes throughout Ohio.

Play some games to test your Ohio knowledge.

The following items are for sale on christianbook.com. If you purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission as I am an affiliate.

Ohio By Michael Martin, Jackie Ball(Editor) & Kristen Behrens(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing

Ohio and Its People: Bicentennial Edition - eBook By George Knepper / Kent State University Press

Hidden Ohio By Julie K. Rubini / Charlesbridge Publishing Discover the hidden facts about Ohio. Each two-page spread presents interesting information, from famous inventors to locations to history. Along the bottom is a list of images to find. Turn the pages every which way in order to find what you're looking for. Softcover.

Ohio Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Gallopade International

Ohio Jingo By Gary Grimm & Associates

History of Ohio in Words of One Syllable By Annie Cole Cady / Applewood Books Books containing words of one syllable proliferated in the late nineteenth century as a way to teach children to read. These books, today, still serve that purpose and are very popular with homeschoolers and parents as a way to promote reading. In this popular book from 1888, one-syllable words tell the history of the struggles and triumphs of the state of Ohio. Written to help youngsters of the day learn to read, the book combines stories, poems, and illustrations. Multi-syllable words are broken up into single syllables as Ohio's colorful past unfolds from statehood to the year 1888 when the book was first published. Patriotic, informative, and historical, this children's book remains a useful educational tool for teaching America history. In addition to being "both instructive and interesting to the little people for whom it is written," its unique presentation of the history of the state of Ohio can be appreciated by book lovers and history lovers of any age.

All Around Ohio: Regions And Resources By Marcia Schonberg / Heinemann Raintree How much salt is mined each year from Ohio's salt mines? Where in Ohio are footballs made? How do people make their living along the Ohio River? This book contains all kinds of fun and fascinating facts about the regions of Ohio and their valuable resources. You'll find colorful maps that help you locate Ohio's regions and understand their features. You will learn about the many natural and man-made resources of the state and how they affect its economy. And you will discover that there is much more to Ohio than just buckeyes!

One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong By Don Brown / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Discover the life of Neal Armstrong, from his days as a boy dreaming of flying to becoming a hero to millions as he walked on the moon. Beautifully illustrated and simply narrated, this story briefly details Armstrong's life.

Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work By Janet Benge & Geoff Benge / YWAM Publishing The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. With only three months of formal education, Thomas Edison grew up to be one of the most successful inventors of all time. Applying scientific principles to practical use, he made scores of inventions and held over thirteen hundred patents, from improvements on the telegraph and phonograph to the development of the incandescent lamp and a whole system for distributing electricity. For ages 10 and up.

Thomas Edison Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments: Activities, Projects and Science Fun for All Ages By James G. Cook / John Wiley & Sons Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions and more chemistry experiments than any other scientist ever! This book reflects the fascination that he found in experimentation and presents the best, most popular experiments and projects sponsored by the prestigious Edison Foundation. Here, in one convenient volume, you will find a range of activities from the very simple (for primary or middle grades or individual young scientists at home) to the intriguingly complex (for older students, groups, or an entire class). These experiments require no science background. They utilize inexpensive, easy-to-obtain materials. Most of all, the projects are fun to build, safe and useful, and each provides a good demonstration of important scientific principles in real-life action! Most youngsters and teens can work on the experiments with little supervision, and there are ample ideas for science fairs and "extra-credit" projects. Over 100 illustrations are included, plus photos of the legendary inventor himself. Experiments in this book encompass magnetism, electricity, electrochemistry, chemistry, physics, energy, and environmental studies--topics for varied interests in grades 4 through 11. Throughout, emphasis is on the essence of scientific "tinkering," experimenting for the pure fun of it...activities that lead to satisfying hobbies, new ideas, and learning. Edison himself would surely enjoy this book--so imagine that you are visiting his laboratory, and let this be your introduction to a world of discovery...

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip...with Recipes! By Guy Fieri & Ann Volkwein / William Morrow

James Garfield: The Preacher President By William Thayer / A Beka Book This biography will give students a detailed look at the life of President James Garfield. From a poor canal boy to President of the United States, Garfield exemplified the character that makes a great leader. Learn how Garfield stood up for righteousness through his godly life. Part of the "Sons of Liberty" series. This is an A Beka Book Reading/Book report book for grades 7-12. 264 pages.

Who Was Ulysses S. Grant? By Megan Stine, Nancy Harrison(Illustrator) & Mark Edward Geyer(Illustrator) / Grosset & Dunlap

Rutherford B Hayes: 1877-1881 The American Presidents By Hans Trefousse / Henry Holt and Co. The disputed election of 1876 between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden, in which Congress set up a special electoral commission, handling the disputed electoral votes to Hayes, brings recent events into sharp focus. Historian Hans L. Trefousse explores Hayes's new relevance and reconsiders what many have seen as the pitfalls of his presidency. While Hayes did officially terminate the Reconstruction, Trefousse points out that this process was already well under way by the start of his term and there was little he could do to stop it. A great intellectual and one of our best-educated presidents, Hayes did much more in the way of healing the nation and elevating the presidency.

Who Was Annie Oakley? By Stephanie Spinner & Larry Day / Grosset & Dunlap Annie Oakley was a sharpshooting, horesback-riding symbol of the Wild West. Annie was an elegant little lady who was courted by European aristocracy and admired by queens. She was a determined and brilliant performer who dazzled the world over. Find out more about the real Annie Oakley in this fun and exciting illustrated biography.

The Ultimate Roy Rogers Collection (Seven DVD Set) By BMG Acknowledged as the king of the cowboys, Roy Rogers has entertained audiences of all ages for over fifty years. This DVD collection is packed with great action, comedy, adventure, and romance; a must for all Roy Rogers fans! This collection includes 28 episodes on 7 DVDs:Disc 1: The Old Corral - Billy the Kid Returns - Under Western Stars - Days of Jesse James Disc 2: In Old Cheyenne - Idaho - King of the Cowboys - Silver Spurs Disc 3: Song of Texas - Cowboy and Senorita - Lights of Old Santa Fe - Bells of RosaritaDisc 4: Heldorado - Home in Oklahoma - My Pal Trigger - Roll on Texas Moon Disc 5: Song of Arizona - Under Nevada Skies - Apache Rose - The Bells of San AngeloDisc 6: On the Old Spanish Trail - Springtime in the Sierras - Eyes of Texas - The Far FrontierDisc 7: The Gay Ranchero - Grand Canyon Trail - Night Time in Nevada - Under California Stars

Memoirs of General William T. Sherman By William T. Sherman, Michael Fellman / Penguin Putnam Inc. Before his spectacular career as commanding general of the Union forces of the West, William Tecumseh Sherman experienced decades of frustration and failure. He participated in many of the critical events of early-nineteenth-century America: the protracted war against the Indians, the California gold rush, the banking panics, the political turmoil, and the elusive search for fame and fortune. Sherman's place in American history was still in doubt during the first stages of the Civil War, when he reluctantly led a Union brigade to humiliating defeat at Bull Run. It was not until his major role at the Battle of Shiloh that he began to assert his brilliance as a military commander. After his capture of Atlanta in 1864, which secured Abraham Lincoln's reelection, Sherman launched the infamous March to the Sea. Combining a ruthless scorched-earth strategy with shrewd psychological and propaganda, Sherman forever changed the nature of American warfare.