Blog Post #4

Interesting Facts about Ohio

I have lived in Ohio my entire life. Considering this, I am slightly ashamed to admit how little history I actually knew about our state before visiting the Tuscarawas Historical Society. Sure, I knew that Ohio’s weather is known for being bipolar and that Michigan fans are sworn enemies, but there are so many other interesting facts to be discovered.

One of the first fascinating things I discovered was about the Ohio state flag. The flag was created in 1902, and in 2002, it was given a pledge:

“I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty.”

I had no idea Ohio’s nickname of being the Buckeye State went as far back as it’s flag’s creation. The creator of the flag even went as far as to say that the circle in the center not only stands for the “O” in Ohio, but it is also symbolism for its place as the Buckeye State.

It is crazy to me to think that something as casually thrown around as being from the “Buckeye State” was actually determined more than a century ago. I guess this just goes to prove that one never really knows what effect they will have on history.

                                                        

The Ohio State Flag

Another fact I found thought-provoking about Ohio’s history has to do with the presidents who were born here. Ohio is home to eight of the presidents including Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and William H. Taft.

The majority of these presidents were elected nearly in consecutive order! Ohio was home to the 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th, and 29^th presidents. Even more intriguing is that all of these presidents ran as Republicans (except for the 9^th president, William Henry Harrison, who identified with the Whig party of his time).

It is definitely interesting to be alive during today’s political era, but I can imagine the rumors of scandal that existed during these presidencies. Just imagine your politically crazed uncle visiting your Ohio family: “So, who did you Ohioans bribe this year to get one of your buddies in the door yet again?”

On the other hand, I bet it was a great time to be an Ohio child. Whenever some adult commented, as they often do, “There’s this nation’s next president” in reference to a kid, I bet the child gleamed with pride. After all, this had already happened to several people from his or her very own state. The odds were seemingly in their favor.

However, presidents are not the only famous citizens who have come from Ohio. You have James Ritty to thank for cash registers and Garret Morgan to thank for traffic lights. Both of whom were native to Ohio.

But let us not forget the Wright brothers who gave us our first steps in flight, and W.F. Semple who gave us the gum to pop our ears while we fly. Without a doubt, these are just a few of the inspiring people who came from the state of Ohio.

I may have not known much about our great state when I began this search, and I still do not know nearly close to everything, but I have realized something. Just like people, each state has a history of its own, and each history contributes in making our worlds the way they are today.

Reference information for Ohio book within the Historical Society: Blackwell, J. Kenneth. Ohio defined. (180 E. Broad St., 15th Floor, Columbus): Office of the Ohio Secretary of State, 2006. Print.