All the Dates of Kentucky

Thomas Walker crosses into Kentucky

Jul 12, 1750

The Loyal Land Company of Virginia sent explorer Thomas Walker to explore the land west of the Appalachian Mountains.

James Harrod leads settlers into Kentucky

Jun 16, 1774

James Harrod led a group of 31 men down the Ohio River, then up the Kentucky River

Daniel Boone cuts the Wilderness Road

Mar 10, 1775

Daniel Boone cut a long path, now known as the Wilderness Road, which streches from the Cumberland Gap to Kentucky

Kentucky enters the Union as the 15th state

Jun 1, 1792

Kentucky ministers led the fight against slavery in 1792, and Kentucky became the 15th state.

The Chickasaw are forced to give up their land in Kentucky

Jan 1, 1818

Chickasaw defended their land in Kentucky, under pressure from white settlers, and gave up their Kentucky land in the Jackson Purchase.

Civil War battles are fought at Richmond and Perryvile

Apr 1, 1862

By 1862, 35,000 Confederate soldiers occupied southwest Kentucky and the two sides fought battles at Richmond and Perryvile.

The first Kentucky Derby is run in Lousville

May 17, 1875

In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby drew a crowd of 10,000 people to Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The Black Patch War breaks out in western Kentucky

Sep 24, 1904

At the start of the 20th century, tobacco companies and growers clashed over the price from the companies and some growers banded together, refusing to sell tobacco.

Drought strikes Kenutcky

Jan 1, 1930

A drought devistated Kentucky farmers and some places in Kentucky went without water for more than a month.

The Kentucky Dam is completed

Aug 30, 1945

The Kentucky Dam helped bring electricity to sections of Kentucky.