Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky became the 15th U.S. state when it was admitted to the U.S. in 1792. It was once believed that the name Kentucky was derived from the Native American word meaning "dark and bloody hunting ground," which is believed to be due to the fact that many Native American tribes went there to hunt in the game-rich forests and often fought each other there. However, it is now most commonly believed that the name Kentucky can be attributed to various Native American languages with several possible meanings from "land of tomorrow" to "cane and turkey lands" to "meadow lands." This last may come from the Iroquois name for the Shawnee town Eskippathiki. The name Kentucky referred originally to the Kentucky River and from that came the name of the region.

Related Topics:
U.S. state - U.S.

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Kentucky and its residents are probably most well known for thoroughbred horses and horse racing, local whisky distilleries, and enthusiasm for basketball (The two principal basketball rivals in the state are the University of Kentucky (blue and white, Wildcats) and the University of Louisville (red and black, Cardinals)). Kentucky's pastimes are distinctly those of the South, and sports rivalries between the University of Kentucky and the Universities of Tennessee and North Carolina have long existed. Kentuckian cuisine is considered to be a synergistic blend of Midwestern cuisine and Southern US cuisine.

Related Topics:
Thoroughbred horse - Horse racing - Whisky - Basketball - University of Kentucky - University of Louisville - Kentuckian cuisine - Midwestern cuisine - Southern US cuisine

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