I. Introduction
A. Name of state: Illinois, Meaning: name of Native American Indian tribe meaning “tribe of superior men” B. Location of state in the U.S: Situated in the eastern north-central US, Region name: Midwestern region C. Some unusual facts about Illinois: 1. The cities, Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton all hosted the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates that stirred interest all over the country in the slavery issue. 2. The first inland fish aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, opened in Chicago in 1893. 3. The world's first skyscraper, Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1885. 4. Home to the Chicago Bears Football Team, Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, Chicago Bulls basketball team, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Whitesox baseball teams, and Chicago Fire soccer team. 5. Between 1937 and 1962 the first Mormon Temple in Illinois was constructed in Nauvoo, Illinois.
II. Major Geographical Characteristics
A. Land Forms: 1. Central Plains 2. Great Lakes Plains 3. Gulf Coastal Plains
B. Water Forms: 1. Lake Michigan 2. Wabash River 3. Mississippi River
C. Climate: (varies…)
| |Jan |Feb |March |April |May |June |
|Average high in °F |32 |34 |43 |55 |65 |75 |
|Average low in °F |18 |20 |29 |40 |50 |60 |
|Av. precipitation - inch |1.85 |1.61 |2.76 |3.03 |3.74 |4.06 |
|Days with precip. |10 |10 |12 |13 |12 |11 |
|Hours of sunshine |126 |142 |199 |221 |274 |300 |
| |July |Aug |Sep |Oct |Nov |Dec |
|Average high in °F |81 |79 |73 |61 |47 |36 |
|Average low in °F |66 |65 |58 |47 |34 |23 |
|Av. precipitation - inch |3.39 |3.15 |2.72 |2.8 |2.2 |1.89 |
|Days with precip. |9 |8 |8 |7 |10 |10 |
|Hours of sunshine |333 |299 |247 |216 |136 |118 |
III. Historical Facts
A. Main Events: 1. Native Tribes: Illiniwek, Miami, Fox, and other Native American groups inhibited the lands as we know between 1600’s to 1850’s. 2. Exploration and settlement: French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, were the first Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established the first permanent settlement at Cahokia, near present-day East St. Louis. Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763. 3. Statehood date and order of entry: Dec. 3, 1818, 21st state.
B. Historical Sites: 1. Albany Mounds Illinois Route 84 South, Albany 309/788-0177 Open: Dawn - Dusk
2. Apple River Fort
311 E. Myrtle St., Elizabeth 815/858-2028
Open: March-October, We-Su 9-5 pm November-February, We-Su 9-4 pm
3. 72-foot Abraham Lincoln Statue Ashmore, Illinois
C. Famous People:
1. Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) Creator of Mickey Mouse and founder of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Theme Parks; lived in Hollywood. Born in Chicago, IL 2. Arnold Friberg (1913 - 2010) An American illustrator and painter noted for his religious and patriotic works. He is perhaps best known for his 1975 painting The Prayer at Valley Forge, a depiction of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. Born in Winnetka, IL 3. Eddie Albert (1906 - 2005) Born Edward Albert Heimberger. A stage, screen, and television actor whose film credits include Roman Holiday (1953) and I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955). Born in Rock