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When thinking of American states, the traditionally large and populous ones are the first to come to mind. States like New York, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois are typically the first ones people think of. One of the commonly overlooked states is Kentucky. Often associated with southern culture and located near the heart of the U.S, the state of Kentucky has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike. So if you’re looking for Louisville houses for sale or Lexington real estate then it would probably behoove you to learn some facts and history about the Bluegrass state. So here’s five fun facts about Kentucky.

Horse Capital of the World
If there’s one thing you should know about Kentucky, it’s that they love their horse racing. There are many tracks in Kentucky, and even more horse breeders and jockeys. In fact, the state has been dubbed the horse racing capital of the world since the sport is so prominent in the area. One of the biggest reasons for horse racing’s local popularity is the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is the oldest and most popular horse race in the country, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Thousands of people visit the state each year to see the Kentucky Derby, and millions more watch the event on T.V. However, Kentucky horse racing goes well beyond the Kentucky Derby, as the sport is ingrained into the local culture.

Celebrities and Politicians
Like many states, Kentucky is home to a handful of celebrities and famous politicians. Many people associate Abraham Lincoln with the state of Illinois, but the man who couldn’t tell a lie was actually originally born in the Bluegrass state. Ironically, Abraham Lincoln’s archrival, Jefferson Davis, was also born in Kentucky. Kentucky also has a smattering of celebrities born in-state as well. This includes Billy Ray Cyrus, Johnny Depp, Muhammad Ali, Jennifer Lawrence, and George Clooney.

Holidays and Celebrations
Kentucky has also had a handful of contributions to the holidays and celebrations that we hold in America. When it comes to birthday celebrations, they wouldn’t be the same without Kentucky. Two Kentucky residents coined the famous “Happy Birthday Song”, and now it is sung at nearly every birthday celebration across the country. In addition, a resident of the state is credited with creating the holiday of Mother’s Day. According to the story, Mary Wilson was the first to recognize her mother on this holiday before it caught on. Over time more and more people began adopting the holiday. In 1916, Mother’s Day was officially made a federal holiday, however, its origins still trace back to Kentucky.

Food and Beverage
Several famous food and beverages are claimed to have originated in the state of Kentucky. For example, there is a claim that the cheeseburger originated in Kentucky in 1934. Also, the famous restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken, is true to its name and originated in Kentucky. Kentucky Fried Chicken started out as a small restaurant in Kentucky, but quickly grew to one of the world’s largest fast-food chains. In addition, the popular alcoholic beverage bourbon gets its name from Bourbon County, a county in Kentucky. The name comes from the fact that the county is where the beverage was first distilled.

Fort Knox
One of the most interesting locations in Kentucky is Fort Knox. Fort Knox is one of the most famous Army posts in the entire country. This stems from the fact that the U.S keeps a large portion of its gold reserves at this location. It is said that over half of the U.S gold reserves are stored in this location, totaling several millions of dollars in value. All of this gold in one location means that there is a need for high security. That’s why Fort Knox is one of the most well-guarded places in the world, spawning a saying that spans the entire country. If you’ve ever heard that something is “as secure as Fort Knox”, then now you know why.