Metro East Sun

On December 3, 1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state of the United States. Each year on this date, Illinois Statehood Day is celebrated to honor this milestone. The state's history began with Native American tribes such as the Illiniwek, from whom Illinois derives its name. French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet first explored the region in 1673, claiming it for France. Settlements like Cahokia and Kaskaskia were established as centers of trade and missionary work.

The area came under British control after the French and Indian War through the Treaty of Paris in 1763. However, following the American Revolution, another Treaty of Paris in 1783 transferred the territory to the United States. Initially part of the Northwest Territory, Illinois was later included in the Indiana Territory in 1800.

As population increased, there was a demand for localized governance. Congress responded by creating the Illinois Territory on February 3, 1809, separating it from Indiana Territory. This new territory included present-day Illinois and parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan with Kaskaskia as its capital.

Ninian Edwards became the first territorial governor and played a crucial role in developing infrastructure and legal systems that paved the way for statehood. By 1818, with a growing population around 35,000 primarily residing in southern regions, a constitutional convention convened in Kaskaskia to draft Illinois's first constitution.

President James Monroe signed a resolution admitting Illinois as a state on December 3, 1818. Despite achieving statehood status, challenges persisted including difficulties in agriculture due to thick prairie sods which were eventually overcome by John Deere's invention of the steel plow in 1837.

Slavery debates marked early years; although prohibited by Northwest Ordinance enforcement was weak allowing some settlers to bring enslaved people into territory. The constitution allowed existing indentured servitude contracts leading to tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions until slavery legalization referendum failed solidifying free state status.

Transportation infrastructure development significantly contributed towards growth with completion of Illinois-Michigan Canal connecting Great Lakes to Mississippi River facilitating trade migration while railroad expansion positioned Chicago as central transportation hub mid-19th century.

For more information about Illinois history visit "Illinois Historic Preservation Division’s History of Illinois Timeline."