Some of the things that make the U.S. unique is the fact that it is made up of 50 individual States, all with their own laws, differing weather, scenery, and cultures.
All these factors culminate into several interesting facts about Kentucky, with one of the more notable ones being that there are approximately 7.5 million barrels of bourbon in Kentucky – that is almost double the state’s population!
Each state has its own nickname that is typically derived from an event associated with its historical past, a notable landmark within the State, a cultural icon, or even the climate. Let’s consider Kentucky’s nickname.
What is Kentucky’s nickname? It is The Bluegrass State.
The Bluegrass State is situated in the east south-central region of America, along the west side of the Appalachian Mountains, an area known as the Upland South. Kentucky borders 7 states, yes, 7! Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois.
Most states have adopted some pretty questionable and confusing nicknames over the years, that, in today’s world may not have the same kind of relevance they once had.
But on the other hand, many states have adopted nicknames which are still as relevant today as when they first were introduced. Kentuckys nickname is a great example of this, it is reasonably obvious why Kentucky acquired this famous nickname.
Kentuckys State Nickname
Kentuckys state nickname dates back to the days when pioneers would travel to Kentucky, traders would often ask for “the bluegrass of Kentucky”, this is because Kentucky had gathered a reputation for being home to vast open fields with blue-tinted grass stretching for miles. This was due to the grass having small blue buds, which, from a distance, gave off a slightly blue tint during certain seasons.
Like many other states, Kentucky’s state nickname isn’t confined to just one, there are several nicknames used to identify Kentucky, Bluegrass being the most common, but honorable mentions should go to “The Hemp State” and “The Tobacco State”.
How Did Kentucky Get Its Nickname?
Hemp was one of the most commonly farmed crops of Kentucky. The nickname derives from the sheer importance of this crop to Kentucky and the Commonwealth.
The other crop grown in Kentucky is Tobacco, at one time, around two-thirds of the national Tobacco crop was produced in Kentucky, hence the adoption of the “Tobacco State” as another Kentucky state nickname!
One thing that all states have in common as well as having their own unique nicknames, state flowers, crests, and even state birds, is a motto, derived from the history and people of the state.
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall” is Kentucky’s motto. This phrase pays homage to the people of Kentucky past and present and their attitudes towards life and overcoming hurdles. The famous Kentucky state motto also appears on the famous state seal too.
