Ohio celebrated its birthday on March 1. Eventually becoming the seventeenth U.S. state, Ohio was originally populated by French fur traders and later became part of the British Empire after the French and Indian War.
While it was still not a state, Ohio became United States territory after the American Revolutionary War and was part of the Northwest Territory. It has technically been a state since 1803, but it was never officially made one until President Dwight Eisenhower signed it as a state in 1953. When doing this, he set its induction date back to March 1, 1803.
Now that we’ve viewed a little history on Ohio, let’s take a look at some facts that people may not know:
- Columbus hasn’t always been Ohio’s capital
Chillicothe was actually Ohio’s capital when it first became a state. It was the capital from 1803 until 1810 when Zanesville was given this honor. In 1812, Chillicothe was named the capital once again. It was in 1816 that it was decided for Columbus to be named the capital as its location was more centered within the state.
- Ohio is called “The Mother of Modern Presidents”
Seven of the United States presidents were born in Ohio. These include Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Taft and Warren Harding. President William Harrison was born in Virginia, but later became an Ohio resident.
- The Ohio state beverage is tomato juice
This came to be in 1965 when it was decided by the Ohio General Assembly. Tomatoes have become a very important part of Ohio’s economy since Alexander Livingston began to produce and sell them in 1870. Tomatoes are now grown all over the state of Ohio, but especially in its Northwestern area. Tomatoes were also named Ohio’s state fruit in 2009.
- The Ohio state mammal is the white-tailed deer
This deer was named a state symbol in 1988. People who lived in early Ohio used these deer for meat and their fur for clothing. They turned their bones and antlers into needed tools as well. The bottom side of the deer’s tail has white fur, which can usually be seen when they are running or when they lift their tails as a signal if they feel that they are unsafe.
- The state’s name has old roots
The Iroquois Indian word “O-Y-O” meant “great river” and paved the path to the name “Ohio.” The Indians lived between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes around 1650. The French people later interpreted “O-Y-O” as meaning “La Belle Riviere,” or “the beautiful river.”
- Cleveland, Ohio is the birthplace of rock & roll music
In the late 1940s, a DJ named Alan Freed played music that was popular among African-Americans on his radio show, which included genres of jazz, gospel and the blues. He called this “The Moondog Rock & Roll House Party.” Freed worked with the owner of the store “Record Rendezvous,” Leo Mintz, and the two put together the first ever rock & roll concert in Cleveland.
In the decades following, many artists such as David Bowie, Aerosmith and Elvis performed their early shows or those that are highlighted in their careers in Cleveland. Today, Cleveland is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which acknowledges artists from different parts of the world.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern