Events That Changed the Course of History: The Story of Illinois Becoming a State 200 Years Later

Today, some see Illinois as the Land of Lincoln, the home of Chicago, the "windy city," and the former address of President Barack Obama, our 44^th president. Over 200 years ago, Illinois had a different face. It was the 18^th Century Wild West - a frontier on the edge of the United States without any major cities, but plenty of Indians and determined colonists. Life was not without complications. The land where Illinois sits today would be a battleground between the Indians, the French, the British, and even the state of Virginia. Clashes between colonists and the Indians scared off potential settlers. Undaunted and intent on expanding America, Congress encouraged settlers to take advantage of the wide-stretching prairies and waterways, which could be used to transport goods via steamboats and develop commerce. Soon, new laws allowed war veterans to purchase land for a steal, and they came. People began to trickle in, work the land, and establish flourishing townships. The eager inhabitants of the growing territory clamored for statehood, and with their admittance to the Union, opened a door to progress and pride that would establish a pattern for Illinois citizens into the 21^st Century. Let's take a closer look at how Illinois become the 21^st addition to the United States of America.