Illinois.gov - Illinois Facts

1673—Louis Jolliet and Father Marquette arrive in Illinois

1699—Cahokia is founded, the oldest town in Illinois

1717—Illinois becomes part of French Louisiana

1763—England receives Illinois at the end of the French and Indian War

1778—George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia from the British

1787—Illinois becomes part of the Northwest Territory

1804—Lewis and Clark expedition starts near Wood River

1809—Illinois Territory is created

1818—Illinois becomes the 21st state

1830-Abraham Lincoln moves to Illinois

1837-Chicago incorporated as a city

1848—The Illinois & Michigan Canal completed

1853-First Illinois State Fair is held

1861-Abraham Lincoln inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States

1863—Emancipation Proclamation

1888-Present-day State Capitol built

1900—Completion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

1908-Chicago Cubs win their second World Series

1958-Illinois tollway opens

1959—The St. Lawrence Seaway opens

1970-New state constitution adopted

1986-Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX

1992—Carol Moseley Braun becomes the first black woman in the Senate

1998—The Chicago bulls win their sixth NBA championship

2001-Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated

2005-Chicago White Sox win their third World Series

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