Kentucky state biography

The executive branch is headed by the governor and lieutenant governor. The governor and lieutenant governor usually run on a single ticket and are elected to four-year terms. The judicial branch of Kentucky is made up of courts of limited jurisdiction called District Courts; courts of general jurisdiction called Circuit Courts; an intermediate appellate court, the Kentucky Court of Appeals; and a court of last resort, the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Unlike federal judges, who are usually appointed, justices serving on Kentucky state courts are chosen by the state's populace in non-partisan elections. The state's chief prosecutor, law enforcement officer, and law officer is the attorney general. The attorney general is elected to a four-year term and may serve two consecutive terms under the current Kentucky Constitution.

The current Kentucky attorney general is Democrat Jack Conway. Where politics are concerned, Kentucky historically has been very hard fought and leaned slightly toward the Democratic Party, although it was never included among the "Solid South. Kentucky has voted Republican in kentucky state biography of the last seven presidential elections but has supported the Democratic candidates of the South.

Bush in and Bush won the state's 8 electoral votes overwhelmingly in by a margin of 20 percentage points and Kentucky is one of 36 states in the United States that sanctions the death penalty for certain crimes. Kentucky has been on the front lines of the debate over displaying the Ten Commandments on public property. In the case of McCreary County v.

Prior to the adoption of the state constitution inthe General Assembly had the authority to grant charters to private organizations allowing them to conduct lotteries in order to fund public works such as roads and schools. Due to a considerable amount of abuse, a prohibition on lotteries was written into the constitution Section An exception in gaming case law was the legality of pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing.

Inlegal forms of gambling in the state included commercial, legalized gambling in horse racing, lottery sales approved inand charitable gaming. In Septembera Franklin County Circuit judge ordered the transfer of the domain names of illegal Internet gambling sites to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in an effort to stop illegal and unregulated online gaming.

Kentucky is the first state to bring an action against Internet gambling operators that has resulted in the seizure of domain names. As of July 1,Kentucky had an estimated population of 4,, which is an increase of 33, or 0. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 77, people that isbirths minusdeaths and an increase due to net migration of 59, people into the state.

Immigration kentucky state biography outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 27, people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 32, people. As ofKentucky's population included about 95, foreign-born 2. Kentucky's total population has grown during every decade since records began. However during most decades of the twentieth century there was also net out-migration from Kentucky.

Sincerural Kentucky counties have experienced a net loss of over one million people from migration, while urban areas have experienced a slight net gain. The Greater Louisville Metro Area holds a very disproportionate share of Kentucky's population, growth, and wealth. The second largest city is Lexington. The metropolitan areas of Louisville, Lexington, and northern Kentucky had a combined population of 2, as ofwhich is The two other fast-growing urban areas in Kentucky are the Bowling Green area and the "Tri-Cities Region" of southeastern Kentucky, comprising the towns of Somerset, London, and Corbin.

The five largest ancestries in the commonwealth are: American Only eight Kentucky counties list an ancestry other than "American" as the county's largest, those being Christian and Fulton, where African-American is the largest reported ancestry, and the state's most urban counties of Jefferson, Oldham, Fayette, Boone, Kenton, and Campbell, where German is the largest reported ancestry.

Southeastern Kentucky was populated by a large group of Native Americans of mixed heritage, also known as Melungons, in the early nineteenth century. African-Americans, who made up one-fourth of Kentucky's population prior to the Civil Wardeclined in number as many moved to the industrial North in the Great Migration. Today Other areas with high concentrations, besides Christian and Fulton Counties, are the city of Paducah, the Bluegrass, and the city of Lexington.

Many mining communities in far southeastern Kentucky also have populations that are between 5 and 10 percent African-American. Religious movements were important kentucky state biography the early history of Kentucky. Perhaps the most famous event was the interdenominational revival in August at the Cane Ridge Meeting house in Bourbon County.

As part of what is now known as the "Western Revival," thousands began meeting around a Presbyterian communion service on August 6,and ended six days later on August 12, when both humans and horses ran out of food. Inthe Association of Religion Data Archives reported [21] that of Kentucky's 4, residents:. Author Thomas Merton lived most of his life and wrote most of his books — including The Seven Storey Mountainranked on National Review 's list of the best non-fiction books of the century — during his time as a monk at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Kentucky.

Author Hunter S. Thompson is also a native of the state. Since the later part of the 20th century, several writers from Kentucky have published widely read and critically acclaimed books, including: Wendell Berry fl. Wolfe works include Jelly's Last Jam Kentucky's cuisine is generally similar to and is a part of traditional southern cooking, although in some areas of the state it can blend elements of both the South and Appalachia, mixing Appalachian with the native Southern cuisine of the area.

It was developed at the Brown Hotel in Louisville. Also, Western Kentucky is known for its own regional style of Southern barbecue. Central Kentucky is the birthplace of Beer Cheese. The Lexington Horsemen and Louisville Fire of the now-defunct af2 had been interested in making a move up to the "major league" Arena Football Leaguebut nothing has come of those plans.

It is not uncommon for fans to park in the city of Newport and use the Newport Southbank Pedestrian Bridgelocally known as the "Purple People Bridge", to walk to these games in Cincinnati. Georgetown College in Georgetown was the location for the Bengals' summer training camp, until it was announced in that the Bengals would no longer use the facilities.

As in many states, especially those without major league professional sports teams, college athletics are prominent. The WildcatsHilltoppersand Cardinals are among the most tradition-rich college men's basketball teams in the United States, combining for 11 National Championships and 24 NCAA Final Fours; [ citation needed ] all kentucky state biography are high on the lists of total all-time wins, wins per season, and average wins per season.

The IndyCar Series previously raced there as well. The team made its debut inplaying home games at Louisville Slugger Field. That arrangement ended in when Orlando City established a directly controlled reserve side in the USL. The distinction of being named a Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. The sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows the honor of a colonel's commissionby issuance of letters patent.

Kentucky colonels are commissioned for life and act officially as the state's goodwill ambassadors. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. This is the latest accepted revisionreviewed on 27 January This article is about the U. For the river, see Kentucky River.

For other uses, see Kentucky disambiguation. State in the United States. United we stand, divided we fall Deo gratiam habeamus Let us be grateful to God. Black Mountain [ 1 ] [ b ]. Mississippi River at Kentucky Bend [ 1 ] [ b ]. Flag of Kentucky. Seal of Kentucky. Milk AleOne. Etymology [ edit ]. History [ edit ]. Main article: History of Kentucky.

Native American settlement [ edit ]. Early explorations: the discovery of Kentucky [ edit ]. See also: Kentucke's Frontiers. European settlement: The Treaty of Fort Stanwix [ edit ]. See also: Indian Reserve Kentucky County and the Cherokee-American wars [ edit ]. Statehood [ edit ]. Post-colonial plantation economy [ edit ]. See also: History of slavery in Kentucky.

The Civil War [ edit ]. Reconstruction and the New South [ edit ]. See also: Hatfield-McCoy feud. Geography [ edit ]. See also: Coal mining in Kentucky. Regions [ edit ]. Climate [ edit ]. Natural disasters [ edit ]. Lakes and rivers [ edit ]. Natural environment and conservation [ edit ]. Natural attractions [ edit ]. Administrative divisions [ edit ].

Counties [ edit ]. See also: List of counties in Kentucky and Fiscal Court. Consolidated city-county governments [ edit ]. Major cities [ edit ]. See also: List of cities in Kentucky. Largest cities or towns in Kentucky Source: [ 96 ]. Demographics [ edit ]. Main article: Demographics of Kentucky. Race and ancestry [ edit ]. Language [ edit ].

Religion [ edit ]. See also: Religion in Louisville, Kentucky. Religion in Kentucky [ ] Religion Percent Protestant. Economy [ edit ]. Taxation [ edit ]. Tourism [ edit ]. See also: Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Horse industry [ edit ]. See also: Horse racing in the United States. Education [ edit ]. Main articles: Education in Kentucky and History of education in Kentucky.

Transportation [ edit ]. Main article: Transportation in Kentucky. Roads [ edit ]. See also: List of Kentucky State Highways. Rails [ edit ]. See also: List of Kentucky railroads. Air [ edit ]. See also: List of airports in Kentucky. Water [ edit ]. Law and government [ edit ]. Further information: Government of Kentucky. Executive branch [ edit ].

Legislative branch [ edit ]. Judicial branch [ edit ]. Federal representation [ edit ]. Law [ edit ]. Politics [ edit ]. Further information: Political party strength in Kentucky. Culture [ edit ]. Main article: Culture of Kentucky. See also: Theater in Kentucky ; Performing arts in Louisville, Kentucky ; and List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area.

Music [ edit ]. Main article: Music of Kentucky. See also: Category:Musicians from Kentucky. Literature [ edit ]. Main article: Kentucky literature. Cuisine [ edit ]. Main article: Cuisine of Kentucky. Sports [ edit ]. Main article: Sports in Kentucky. This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. August Learn how and when to remove this message. Center left ranking 2nd and 3rd in capacity among college basketball arenas. Kentucky colonel [ edit ]. Main article: Kentucky colonel. See also [ edit ]. Notes [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. United States Geological Survey.

Kentucky state biography

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He is perhaps the most famous sportsperson of all time and is still the only boxer to win the World Heavyweight Championship three times. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville in JanuaryCassius took up boxing in high school aged 12 after having personal property stolenand won the Olympic Gold medal in Rome in for the light heavyweight division; although he later threw the medal in the Kentucky River after being refused service in a Louisville restaurant because of his color.

His bravado and confidence in interviews often naming the round in which he would stop his opponent led to his nickname of "the Louisville Lip". However, he was able to back his words with actions and Cassius Clay won his first World Heavyweight Championship in February Shortly after, he became influenced by the teachings of the Nation of Islamand his conversion to Islam led him to change his name to the one he became most famous for — Muhammad Ali.

Although he continued to fight, he also became more passionate about political causes. His refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam Warled to him having his titles stripped, his boxing license revoked, and being given a five-year prison sentence although he was released on appeal. Ali's words at the time summed up his beliefs and became an inspiration for many: "I'm giving up my title, my wealth, maybe my future.

Many great men have been tested for their religious beliefs. If I pass this test, I'll come out stronger than ever. He never stopped campaigning for justice and equality and became an icon to people of all colors, nationalities, and religions. His death in June saddened the whole world and ended the life of a true hero. We have learned about modern Kentucky, but we have not yet delved into its past.

For many years, a myth was perpetrated that Kentucky was uninhabited prior to the settlers from Europe. However, this was disproved by various archaeological findings many years later. These were:. Kentucky has a very long archaeological record of human habitation. Records of different native groups in Kentucky date back over 15, years and cover many different cultural eras.

Among the many tools and sites that remain, some of the most interesting are sites where people buried their dogs. The evidence suggests that the local peoples domesticated and made companions of dogs quite early something many Kentuckians today will undoubtedly relate to. From until the settlers arrived, there were numerous wars among Native American tribes over control of the Great Meadow region.

These wars took place between the Shawnee tribes from the north of the Ohio River and the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes from the south of the Cumberland River. However, before White settlers arrived, no one tribe held control over what would become Kentucky. Kentucky was thoroughly explored by the French in the and s, where they established a military and economic presence.

The fertile lands of Kentucky and the trading prospects made the area attractive to the colonial powers. Kentucky was the first region west of the Allegheny Mountains to be settled by American colonists. It is believed that the Cherokees were the first to come into contact with Spanish explorers in the mids. The British also developed a trading relationship with kentucky state biography Cherokees on their arrival and, indeed, the Cherokees fought with the British against the French in the Seven Years' War.

However, their population was halved by the smallpox epidemics of the s. The area now known as Kentucky was first explored in by Dr. Thomas Walker and a surveyor by the name of Christopher Gist. Inthe Transylvania Company was set up specifically to settle land between Kentucky, Cumberland, and Ohio Rivers. These developments were opposed by the people living in the region, and a military alliance of Shawnee, Miami, and several smaller First Nations groups fought against the U.

Army under General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. However, Kentucky was annexed by Virginia inand the agreement with the Cherokee was nullified. The U. Kentucky joined as a slave state, although large immigrant populations especially Germans were a major abolitionist bloc in the state as elsewhere in the South. The tensions between pro- and anti-slavery groups in Kentucky resulted in the fighting on Bloody Monday inwhen Anglo-American Protestants rioted and attacked many Irish and German immigrants.

As a slaveholding state with a considerable abolitionist population, Kentucky was caught in the middle during the Civil Warsupplying both Union and Confederate forces with thousands of troops. After the Revolutionary Warthe Cherokee ceded some land to the colonists. However, colonists overstepped their boundaries, and this led to several battles between a confederacy of Native American tribes aided by the British and colonists over land.

Despite numerous treaties being signed to end the battles and protect indigenous land, new settlers in the s began demanding new land in Kentucky. By the early s, the Cherokee and Chickamauga had ceded land to the U. Government, and the Jackson Purchase of saw the Chickasaw hand over their Kentucky territory west of the Tennessee River. Like many states, Kentucky was fiercely divided during the Civil War of Independence.

Situated between three free states and three slave states, it was seen as where the North and the South converged. Although slavery was common Kentucky had the third highest number of slaveowners in the countryit was historically loyal to the Union, and state guard companies were formed to keep the state neutral during the war. Kentucky was considered so important to the Union that even President Abraham Lincoln was moved to write: "I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game.

Although Lincoln was a Kentuckian, the state voted for John Bell from Tennessee in the presidential election ofwhich Lincoln won thus sparking the civil war. Kentucky entered the civil war which saw 75, Kentuckians fight for the Federal army around 20, of which were African-American with around 25, fighting for the Confederacy. Around a third of this total died either through battle or disease.

As it did not leave the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to Kentucky and it did not ratify the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. The state only officially ratified the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution in —more than years after they were enacted. Provisions for segregation and a poll tax were removed from the state constitution in Whiskey was first produced in Bourbon county, which became nationally recognized as a whiskey variation by the midth century.

They came into the territory with the first frontiersmen. Kentucky is home to the first known circular horse racing track, constructed in the s. Encyclopedia of North Carolina, Transylvania Company. Kentucky Department of Tourism, Kentucky History. Kentucky Historical Society, Jackson Purchase. Library of Congress, Indian Territory.

Public Broadcasting Service, Indian Removal. Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Indigenous Lands Acknowledgment. American Battlefield Trust, Richmond. American Battlefield Trust, Perryfield. Kentucky Department of Tourism, Civil War. Library of Congress, A traditional black Kentucky tobacco barn. Kentucky Historical Society, Bourbon Whiskey.

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