John Wayne-Personal Life

John Wayne was married three times. His wives were all Hispanic. His wives were Josephine Alicia Saenz, Esperanza Baur, and Pilar Pallete. He had four children with Josephine and three with Pilar.

Wayne stormiest divorce was from his second wife, Esperanza. Esperanza had convinced herself Wayne and co-star Gail Russell were having an affair. After the wrap of the film 'Angel and the Badman', there was the usual party for the cast and crew. Wayne came home late. Esperanza was drunk and waiting for him when he arrived. Esperanza attempted to shoot Wayne as he walked through the door.

There were several high profile affairs in Wayne's life. One was with Marlene Dietrich and another with his former secretary Pat Stacy. Pat Stacy wrote a biography of her life with Wayne. The book is titled 'Duke: A Love Story'.

In the 1960's, Wayne traveled frequently to Panama where he purchased the island of Taborcillo. The island was sold by his estate at his death. The island of Taborcillo changed hands many times until it was open as a tourist attraction.

Wayne was a Freemason. He was Master Mason in Marion McDaniel Lodge #66, F&Am in Tucson. Wayne became a 32nd Scottish Rite Mason. He later became a member of the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Anaheim.

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I put this section here for people who came from the tribute page I have up on my main website, "Midnight Angel's Place". Home will take you back to the tribute page of John Wayne on my main website. The other links will take you to the other segments about John Wayne.

Home

John Wayne-Early Life

John Wayne-Film Career

John Wayne-Politics

John Wayne-Military Conterversy

John Wayne-Death

John Wayne-Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom

Winds Of The Wasteland-This is a movie John Wayne starred in.

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John Wayne-Film Career

John Wayne worked for Fox Film corporation for $75 a week in small roles. he was given on-screen credit once as 'Duke Morrison' in 'Words and Music'(1929). In 1930, John got his first starring role by director Raoul Walsh in 'The Big Trail'. Walsh suggested the screen name 'Anthony Wayne' after the Revolution War general 'Mad Anthony' Wayne. Fox Studio chief Winfield Sheehan rejected the name. Walsh suggested another name 'John Wayne'. Sheehan liked and agreed the screen name. The name stuck. Wayne himself wasn't there for the discussion. Wayne's pay was raised to $105 a week.

'The big Trail was the first big budget outdoor spectacular of the sound era and cost over $2 million. "The Big Trail' utilized hundreds of extras, wide scenes of the American Southwest. It was filmed in two versions, the standard 35mm and Grandeur. The audience that saw the film in Grandeur stood and cheered. Unfortunately, at the time only a handful of theaters were equipped to show the film in its widescreen process, make the effect a large waste. 'The big Trail' was considered a failure.

After the failure of 'The Big Trail', Wayne was banished back to small roles. He played a corpse in 'The Deceiver' (1931). He appeared in the serial 'The Three Musketeers' (1933), A updated version of Alexander Dumas' navel in which the principal characters were soldiers in the French foreign Legion. He appeared in many low-budget westerns and serials. Eighty westerns Wayne estimated he had appeared in between 1930-1939. Wayne was mentored by stuntmen in riding and other cowboy skills. Wayne and Yakima Canutt (a famed stuntman) developed and perfected stunts used today.

Wayne's breakthrough role came in John Ford's classic 'Stagecoach' (1939). Ford had difficulty in getting financing for 'Stagecoach' because of Wayne's non-star status. After getting rejections from all the top studios, Ford turned to and struck a deal with independent producer, William Wellman. 'Stagecoach' became a huge success and Wayne became a star. Wayne later appeared in over twenty of John Ford's films. Some of those films are 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon' (1949), 'The Quiet Man' (1952), 'The Searchers' (1956), 'The Wings of Eagles' (1957), and 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' (1962).

The first colored film John Wayne appeared in was 'Shepherd of the Hills' (1941). He co-starred with his longtime friend, Harry Carey.

In 1942, John Wayne appeared in his only film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, 'Reap the Wild Wind'. He co-starred with Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard. It was also one of those rare times Wayne played a character of questionable values.

Wayne was offered the starring role in the film 'All the King's Men' (1949) by director Robert Rossen. Wayne rejected the role because he thought the script was un-American.

Wayne lost the leading role in 'The Gunfighter' (1950) due to his refusal to work for Columbia Pictures chief Henry Cohn (Henry Cohn had mistreated Wayne when he was a young contract.). The lead role in 'The Gunfighter' went to Gregory Peak later.

One of John Wayne's popular roles was his portrayal of a heroic copilot in the film 'The High and the Mighty'. Wayne also played aviators in the films 'Flying Tigers' (1942), 'Flying Leatherneck' (1951), 'Island in the Sky" (1953), 'the Wings of Eagles' (1957), and 'Jet Pilot' (1957).

John Wayne won the Best Actor Oscar for 'True Grit' (1969). He was also nominated as producer of Best Picture for 'The Alamo' and 'The Green Berets' (1968). John Wayne's last film was 'The Shootist' (1976).

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I put this section here for people who came from the tribute page I have up on my main website, "Midnight Angel's Place". Home will take you back to the tribute page of John Wayne on my main website. The other links will take you to the other segments about John Wayne.

Home

John Wayne-Early Life

John Wayne-Personal Life

John Wayne-Politics

John Wayne-Military Conterversy

John Wayne-Death

John Wayne-Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom

Winds Of The Wasteland-This is a movie John Wayne starred in.

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John Wayne-Early Life

John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907 in Winterset, Iowa. His middle name was soon change afterwards to Michael because his parents decided to name their next son Robert.

John Wayne's father, Clyde Leonard Morrison, was of Irish, Scot-Irish, and English decent. Clyde is the son of American Civil War Veteran, Marion Mitchell Morrison (1845-1915).

John Wayne's mother, Mary Alberta Brown, was from Lancaster, Nebraska.

John Wayne's family moved to Palmsdale, California. In 1911, they moved to Glendale, California.

It was at this time John got this nick name, Duke. On his way to school, he past a firestation. One of the fireman started to call him 'Little Duke' because John never went anywhere without his Airedale Terrier dog named Duke. John preferred the name 'Duke' to 'Marion' so the name Duke stuck with him for the rest of his life.

As a teen, John worked in an ice cream shop for a man, who shod horses for Hollywood studios. He was also an active member of a youth organization associated with the freemasons called the 'Order of De Molay'. John went to Wilson Middle School, played football for Glendale High School. He applied at the U.S. Naval Academy but wasn't accepted. Instead John attended the University of Southern California. He majored in pre-law. He was a member of the Trojan Knight, Sigma Chi fraternities, and the USC football team.

John sustained an injury bodysurfing at the 'Wedge' at the tip of Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. The injury caused him to loose his athletic scholarship. Without the funds, he had to leave the university.

The silent western star, Tom Mix, had gotten John a summer job in the prop department in exchange for football tickets. Later, John moved on to little parts in films, leading him into a friendship with John Ford. John Ford provided most of Wayne's roles. John appeared in 'Brown Of Harvard' (1926), 'The Dropkick' (1927), 'Salute' (1929), and 'Maker Of Men' (1931).

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I put this section here for people who came from the tribute page I have up on my main website, "Midnight Angel's Place". Home will take you back to the tribute page of John Wayne on my main website. The other links will take you to the other segments about John Wayne.

Home

John Wayne-Film Career

John Wayne-Personal Life

John Wayne-Politics

John Wayne-Military Conterversy

John Wayne-Death

John Wayne-Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom

Winds Of The Wasteland-This is a movie John Wayne starred in.

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People's Describing John Wayne

     "I liked Wayne's wholeness, his style. As for his politics,-well-I suppose even cave men felt a little admiration for the dinosaurs that were trying to gobble them up."    

Abbie Hoffman, a radical of the 1960's

     "Wayne is, of course, marvelously indestructible, and has become an almost perfect father figure."

Vincent Canby, reviewing 'The Cowboys' for the New York Times

     "He would become a 'superpatriot' for the rest of his live trying to atone for staying home."

Pilar Wayne, John Wayne's third wife

     "It is important for you to know that I am a registered Democrat and, to my knowledge, share none of the political views espoused by Duke. However, whether he is ill disposed or healthy, John Wayne is far beyond the normal because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, his warmth as a human being throughout his illustrious career, he is entitled to a unique spot in our hearts and minds. In this industry, we often judge people, sometimes unfairly, by asking whether they have paid their dues. John Wayne has paid his dues over and over, and I'm proud to consider him a friend, and am very much in favor of my Government recognizing in some important fashion the contribution that Mr. Wayne has made."

Robert Aldrich, then president of the Directors Guild Of America, testifying to Congress of the merit and deservedness of the Congressional Gold Medal for John Wayne

Tribute to John Wayne

The song on the video is 'Big Bad John' sung by James Dean. This video was put together by TheFantaC, who did the video as a tribute to John Wayne's 100th birthday.

These words aren't the original words to 'Big Bad John' by Jimmy Dean. This is a different version of lyrics sang to the same tune as 'Big Bad John'. It was a tribute to John Wayne.

John Wayne in Wake of the Red Witch (1948).

Born: Marion Robert Morrison
May 26, 1907
Winterset, Iowa
Died: June 11, 1979 (aged 72)
Los Angeles, CA
Links:

John Wayne Official Website
Wikipedia-John Wayne
John Wayne Tribute Website
Biography: John Wayne

Three of my favorite movies starring John Wayne were
'The Searchers', 'Cowboys', and 'The Green Berets'. These three movies had me shouting hooray during a victory part of the movies. I cried during the death scene of John Wayne in 'Cowboys'. I was in tears at the end of 'The Green Berets' when John Wayne told the little Vietnamese boy of the
death of the boy's mentor.

The Ballad Of Danny Bailey

The clips in this video are from various old movies and TV series to the song 'The Ballad of Danny Bailey' sung by Elton John.

This video was put together by g2no2000

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Living Colour

Living Colour was formed in 1983 by Vernon Reid, a guitarist. Living Colour grew out of the Block Rock Coalition (A non-profit organization found by Reid and others for black musicians interested in playing rock music). Reid is British born but has been a long time resident of New York.




Reid assembled a number of bands under the name of Living Colour from 1983-1986. Alex Mosley, Jerome Harris, Carl James, Greg Carter, Pheeran Aklaff, J.T. Lewis, Gere Allen, D.K. Dyson, Mark Ledford were some of the early members of Living Colour. Reid would occassionally sing lead in the band. The Band's sound was different back then before their major recordings.



In 1986, Living Colour consisted of Vocalist Corey Glover, bassist Muzz Skillings, drummer Will Calhoun, and Reid. Living Colour became experienced in touring, did performances at the seminal club CBGB. Mick Jagger aided Living Colour in producing demo. Afterward, Living Colour scored a record deal with Epic Records and release their first album 'Vivid' in 1988. 'Vivid' hit #6 on the Billboard 200. The album gathered a increase of sales when MTV began playing the video to 'Cult Of Personality.



On April 1, 1989, Living Colour performed on 'Saturday Night Live' (NBC). Four months later, Living Colour gained an increase in exposure as an opening act for groups like Guns N' Roses, and the Rolling Stones.



In 1992, Skillings left the group due to creative differences. Skillings was replaced by Doug Wimbish.



In 1993, Living Colour released their third album 'Stain'. The album revealed an emotionally darker and personal side of the group. The album reached #26 in the U.S.



In January of 1995, Living colour disbanded after failing to settle on a common music goal for their fourth album. Following the break up, each individual band members released a variety of solo efforts.



Living Colour Between 2000-Present

• Living Colour reformed on December 22, 2000 at a gig called 'Head Fake w/special guests' at the CBGB.


• In 2003, Living Colour released another record 'Collideoscope'. 'Collideoscope' didn't make it on the charts though the album was highly praised.


• In 2005, Sony released 'Live From CBGB', a live album recorded on December 19, 1989 at the legendary CBGB. Sony later released a 'best of' compilation 'Everything Is Possible: The Very Best Of Living Colour'.


• In August 2006, Glover took the role of Judas in tour of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.


• On September 22, 2006, Skillings joined the band for the first time in 14 years.


• On December 12, 2006, Living Colour performed a week long tour in Europe.


• In May of 2007, Living Colour released their first live DVD, 'On Stage At World Cafe Live'.


• On July 11, 2008, Living Colur played at the 1980's hard rock-theme, Rocklahoma, in Pryor, Okalahoma.


• In Augst of 2008, Living Colour in a tribute to Harlem called BRC Band of Gypsys. Skillings performed with them.


• On October 25, 2008, MVD Audio and CBGB's records released 'CBGB OMFUG MASTERS: August 19 2005 The Bowery Collection. It was collection of songs from the Saved CBGB's benefit show.


• On November 25, 2008, Inakustik and MVD released 'The Paris Concert'. 'The Paris Concert' is a DVD recorded at New Morning, in Paris, France, during Living Colour's Summer 2007 European Tour.


• Currently, the band is writing and recording songs for their new album 'Chair in the Doorway'. The album will be released between mid to late 2009.

Acclaim and Legacy

• Living Colour's biggest hit, 'Cult of Personality', is part of the repertoire of radio songs at Radio X in 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'.


• Professional wrestler, CM Punk, uses 'Cult of Personality' as his theme song.


• The 'Cult of Personality' was the very first song to be confirmed for the tracklist of 'Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock'. The band had to re-record the song for the game because sony never responded to Guitar Hero's reguest for a license. Living Colour was happy to re-record the song because they were admittedly fans of the gane and it allowed Living Colour to issue the master use license directly.

Awards

• 1989 - Best New Artist ("Cult of Personality")


• 1990 - Best Hard Rock Performance ("Cult of Personality")


• 1991 - Best Hard Rock Performance (Time's Up)

Leverage

'Leverage' is a new drama series that premiered in 2008 on TNT. Director/Executive Producer Dean Devlin's production company (Electric Television) produces the show.



'Leverage is about a team of thieves, computer experts, and cons led by a former insurance investigator, Nate Ford. Nate Ford uses the thieves skills to right corporate wrongs and governmental injustices visited on the little people.



In the summer of 2009, 'Leverage' will be going into a second season. The team will be in Portland, Oregon instead of Los Angeles (due to their headquarters being destroyed in the episode before the season finally).



The Main Cast:

• Timothy Hutton plays Nate Ford, a former insurance fraud investigator for the IYS Insurance. Nate Ford is also the leader of the Leverage team.


• Gina Bellman plays Sophie Devereaux. As an actress she sucks but in a con her acting is great. Nate Ford calls her "the best actress you've everseen...when she is breaking the law.".


• Christian Kane plays Eliot Spencer a highly skilled martial artist, weapons and retrieval expert.


• Beth Riesgraf plays Parker, a thief, cat burglar, and explosive expert.


• Aldis Hodge plays Alec Hardison, a computer/internet specialist, hacker, and gadget guy.

Notable Guest Stars:

• Saul Rubinek played Victer Dubenich in the pilot episode.


• David S. Lee (Get Smart) played Serbian arms dealer, Nicolas Obiovic, in 'The Stork Job'.


• Jeremy Roenick (forward for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL) played a security guard in 'The Mile High Job'.


• Sara Rue (Gypsy 83) also played in 'The Mile High Job'.


• In the episode 'The Juror #6 Job', Brent Spinner (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Armin Shimerman (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Lauren Holly (NCIS) guest starred.

Leverage-Cult Of Personality

When I heard the song 'Cult Of Personality', I thought of the TV show 'Leverage' so I put together a music video. This is what I came up with.

Gretchen Wilson

On June 26, 1973, Gretchen was born to a 16 year old mother in Pocahontas, Illinois. Before Gretchen was 2, her fother left her mother. Her mother and her lived in trailer parks and relative poverty. Gretchen's mother was a waitress. When Gretchen was in the ninth grade, she dropped out of school, working as a cook and bartender.
At the age of 17, Gretchen started singing in small bars around St. Louis, Missouri. In 1991, Susie Osburn, a bar manager from Springfield, Missouri, went to St. Louis, looking for a new band for her bar (Townhouse). Susie stumbled upon Gretchen, offering Gretchen the job. Gretchen played at the Townhouse for two years then moved back to Pocahontas. After a failed marriage to former bandmate, Larry Rolens, Gretchen moved to Nashville.
Gretchen started dating Mike Penner. On Novermber 9, 2001, a daughter, Grace Frances Penner, was born to them.

Albums:

• Here For The Party-This album came out with Epic Records in 2003. The first single coming from this album was 'Redneck Woman'. The song was the first number one hit by a woman in two years. The next single hit coming from this album was 'Here For The Party'.
• All Jacked Up-Came out on September 27, 2005, 'All Jacked Up' (the song) peaked at #8 on the Hot Country Songs. Three more singles came from this album 'I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today', 'Politically Uncorrect' (featuring Merle Haggard), and 'California Girls'. None of the three made it to the Top 20 on the country charts.
• One Of The Boys-This album came out on May 15, 2007. It debuted at #5 on the Top 200 and #1 on the Country album Chart. After 10 weeks, the album went bye-bye from the Billboard Top 200. The first to singles released from this album were 'Come To Bed' (featured John Rich) and 'One Of The Boys'. Both peaked in the thirties on the country charts while the final single 'You Don't Have To Go Home' failed to reach the Top 40.
• I Got Your Country Right Here-Was released on July 14, 2008 with the first single 'Don't Do Me No Good'. The song failed to reach the Top 40.
• Don't Make Me Take My Earrings Out-Came out in March of this year with the release of her song with the same name. The song is also referred to as 'The Earring Song'.

Awards:

• 2005 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year
• 2004 ACM Top Female Vocalist
• 2004 ACM Top New Artist
• 2004 CMA Horizon Award
• 2004 Grammy Award Best Female Country Vocal Performance

Resources:

Gretchen Wilson (Wikipedia)

Gretchen Wilson Official Website

The Rat Patrol (TV series)

'The Rat Patrol' aired on ABC during 1966-1968. It is about the exloits of four allied soldiers (3 Americans and 1 British). They were part of a long range desert patrol group in the North African campaign during World War 2.

The show was inspired by and loosely modelled on the New Zealand/British/Rhodesian Long Range Desert Group. The title of the program refers to the nick names given to some of the small desert groups like 'Rats of Tobruk' and 'Desert Rats'.

Cast

Christopher George played Sgt. Sam Troy, who was the units leader.

Gary Raymond played Sgt. Jack Moffitt, who is the only British member of the patrol. The Character Sgt. Moffitt was the expert on the desert and on the local Arab Tribes, which inhabited it. Moffitt speaks fleunt German and Arabic, as well as able to read some dead, ancient languages.

Lawerence Carey played Pvt. Mark T. Hitchcock. The patrol calls him 'Hitch'. Hitchcock is a Ivy League college man turned soldier. If you watched a few episodes you'll noticed Hitchcock often chews bubblegum.

Justin Tarr playes Pvt. Tully Pettigrew. Troy calls Tully one of the army's best wheelman. The story of Tully is he grew up in Kentucky and gained his driving skell by running moonshine.

Hans Gudegast (now known as Eric Braedon) played the character of Houptmann Hans Duietrich. Dietrich is a dedicated, honorable German officer. He is the Rat Patrol's main nemesis.

During the second season, the storyline required the absence of Tully for a few episodes. Three different characters took turns rounding out the team Tully's absence.

• Peterson-Darwin Joston


• Andy-Mac McLaughlin


• Bo Randall-Bo Hopkins

Facts About The Production:

• 'The Rat Patrol' was filmed in Almeria, Spain during part of the first season.


• The threes part storyline of 'The Last Harbor Raid' was released in some venues as 'Massacre Harbor'.


• After the first season, each major cast member was shown a prospective script in which he was killed in action to prevent the actors fro asking for raises.


• A jeep overturned, injurying Christopher George. The injury lead to a bad heart that contributed to his subsequent death.


• As was the norm for low-cost productions, other equipment was substituted for original ones. The German vehicles were substituted with American Patton tanks, M7 Priest self-propelled guns, M3 half-track and M35 2 1/2 ton cargo trucks were painted in desert sand colors.


• The submachine guns used by the squad by the squad were props meant to look-like assault rifles or Thompson submachine guns.


• Sgt. Troy wor a slouch hat during the series. When 'The Rat Patrol aired in Australia, veterans of both World Wars were critical of Christopher George wearing an important symbol of Australian courage and sacrifice. It was seen as cheaping and sensationalizing the memory and spirit of the ANZACs, who died fighting Fascism. Christopher George, who was of Greek extraction, insisted his character wear the slouch hat to honor the Australians, who fought in Greece.

The Rat Patrol-All Jacked Up

This video is one of the first few I did. I was surfing through You Tube for some old time TV series I watch when I was younger. "The Rat Patrol" was one of those series I was looking. As I surfed for "The Rat Patrol", I noticed there was no music videos for this TV series like "Combat", Alias Smith And Jones", etc. I decided to be the first to do a music video on the "The Rat Patrol". I tried my luck. I used the song "All Jacked Up" sung by Gretchen Wilson because in the clips I couldn't help but thinks these guys were all jacked up and ready to go. This is what I came up with.

Illinois

This is the second article I did on for February newsletter of WOSIB newsletter.



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Illinois



By Kathleen


This month’s state is Illinois. Illinois is also known as ‘The Land Of Lincoln’ and ‘The Prairie State’.
The state of Illinois is named after the French adaptation of the Algonquian language. The word apparently means ‘s/he speaks normally’. The name is alternately associated with Illiniwek, a consortium of Algonquian tribe that use to thrive in the area. Illiniwek means ’tribe of superior men’, which is frequently incorrect. But the government of Illinois chooses to say the meaning of the state name means ’tribe of superior me’. Who knows which one of the meanings of Illinois is true.


Symbols Of Illinois

Illinois State Flag is called ‘History’.

Illinois State Seal is called ‘The Great Seal’.

Motto: State sovereignty, national union

Amphibian: Eastern Tiger Salamander

Animal: White-Tail Deer

Bird: Cardinal

Dance: Square Dance

Fish: Bluegill

Flower: Purple Violet

Fossil: Tully Monster

Insect: Monarch Butterfly

Mineral: Fluorite

Prairie Grass: Big Bluestem

Reptile: Painted Turtle

Snack Food: Popcorn

Song: ‘Illinois’ lyrics by: Charles H. Chamberlin music by: Archibald Johnston

Tree: White Oak

History

Cahokia, a pre-Columbian Mississippian culture, resided in Illinois. Like the Mississippian people in Indiana, the Cahokia too disappeared off the face of the map in the 15th century.
The next culture to take over was the Illiniwek Confederation or Illini. In the 1700’s, there was 25,000 Illini but due to the attacks from the Iroquois 90% of the Illini were wiped out.
The next group of Indians that settle into Illinois were the Sauk, Potawatomi, Miami and others tribes. They came in from the east and north.
In 1673, French explorers, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, explored the Illinois River, which lead other French explorers coming to Illinois. Illinois was part of the French empire until 1763. Illinois then went into the hands of British. Due to the American colonist uprising, the British only had Illinois for a short time. Illinois became a territory of the United States. On August 26th, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state to enter the United States.
When President Lincoln first called for troops at the Civil War, Illinois sent 250,000 men to serve in the Union Army.
Illinois emerged as one of the important states during the 20th century with a population bordering around 5 million. Illinois reached over 12 million by the end of the century.
In 1957, the Argonne National Laboratory activated the first nuclear power generating system in the United States near Chicago. Chicago became an ocean port with the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959. In 1960, Dresden 1, the first privately finance nuclear plant, was dedicated near Morris, Illinois. In 1960, Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines (which still exists today as a museum, with a working McDonald's across the street).
In 1985, the first Farm Aid concert was held in Champaign, Illinois to benefit the American farmers.
In 2008, Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama was elected our 44th president. He is also the first African-American president. He is also the third president that came from Illinois.
If you are interested a more detail history of Illinois, you can go to the following links. The sites will take you to other links pertaining to Illinois history like The Great Chicago Fire, The Great Flood of 1993, The Blackhawk War, etc.

http://www.illinois.gov/

http://www.answers.com/topic/illinois


Facts

• Former President Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois.
• Politics in the state of Illinois, particularly Chicago area, have been famous for highly visible corruption cases. Here are two of them. In 1912, William Lorimer, the GOP boss of Chicago, was expelled from the U.S. Senate for bribery. In 1921, Governor Len Small (R) was found to have defrauded the state of a million dollars.

Economy

Illinois is an important agricultural state. The main agricultural produces are soybeans and corn. The other major crops of Illinois includes hay, wheat, and sorghum. Hogs and cattle are the principal sources of farm income.
Beneath the fertile topsoil of Illinois lies mineral wealth, including fluorspar, bituminous coal, and oil. Illinois ranks high among the states in the production of coal. Its reserves are greater than any other states east of the Rocky Mts.
Illinois manufactures are electrical and nonelectrical machinery, food products, fabricated and primary metal products, chemicals, printed and published materials.
Illinois is the leading refiner of petroleum in the Midwestern states. It is also ranked 14th in oil production in the states.
Illinois is ranked first in nuclear generating capacity among the 31 states with nuclear plants. Almost half of Illinois electricity is generated by nuclear plants.
Metropolitan Chicago, the country's leading rail center, is also a major industrial, as well as a commercial and financial center. Chicago also host most of the professional sports in Illinois.
Decatur is one of the leading producers of ethanol from corn.

Recreation

• Illinois has numerous museums. The state of the art Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is the largest presidential library in the country.
• There are numerous museums in the city of Chicago. These include the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry. The Museum of Science and Industry is the only building remaining from the 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the new world.
• The Illinois state park system began in 1908 with Fort Massac State Park. Fort Massac State Park became the first park in a system, encompassing over 60 parks and about the same number of recreational and wildlife areas.
• The areas protected and controlled under the National Park Service include the Illinois And Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, The Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail, the Lincoln Home National Historic, the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, the Trail Of Tear’s National Historic Trail and the Kickapoo State Park.

Resources

http://www.illinois.gov/
http://www.answers.com/topic/illinois
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois
http://www.illinois.gov/visiting/historic.cfm

My Home State Of Indiana

About three months ago, I started writing "State Of The Month" articles for the WOSIB Newsletter. My first article was on my home state of Indiana. That was because I just signed up for to do the article and there was only about three or four days to get the article done before deadline, lol. So I pick a state I was fimiliar with. I am putting it up in my blog because got to clean my archives out. I will be putting up the other two state articles in my blog too.

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State Of The Month
Indiana
Written By Kathleen

The name Indiana means ‘The Land of Indians’ or ‘Indian Land’. Indiana is known as the Hoosier State. The people from the State of Indiana are know as Hoosiers. How Indiana got the name of Hoosier State and people of Indiana Hoosiers is unknown. There are a lot of stories and legends how it came about. You can find a few of the stories and legends at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier

Indiana Symbols

Indiana’s State Flag

The Seal Of Indiana

Indiana Bird: Cardinal
Indiana Flower: Peony
Indiana Motto: The Crossroads of America
Indiana Poem: ’Indiana’ by Arthur Franklin Mapes
Indiana Song: ‘On The Banks Of The Wabash’, ‘Far Away’
Indiana River: Wabash River
Indiana Stone: Limestone
Indiana Tree: The Tulip Tree

Indiana History

It was originally thought that Indiana was inhabited by migratory tribes of ’Native Americans’ as early as 8000 B.C. In 2003, archeologists found a tool carved from deer bone dating back 10,400 years ago. Which basically proved the first thought wrong.
By 900 A.D. a mound building Native Americans called Mississippians settled in Indiana. The Mississippians were dominant in Indiana until 1450 in which their entire civilization totally disappeared for some unknown reason. You can learn more about the Mississippians at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippian_culture
Indiana entered into recorded history when Europeans started to settle here. We were known as part of the ‘Kingdom Of France’ until ‘The French And Indian Wars‘. The British won that war and we became the ’Kingdom Of Great Britain’.
But due to our American rebellious nature called ‘The American Revolutionary War‘, the ’Kingdom Of Great Britain’ was short lived. We, here in Indiana, became a territory of the United States in which we placed under the governorship of William Henry Harrison. Indiana became the 19th state of the United States in 1816.
Following statehood, our new government (Indiana) set out to transform our state from a wilderness frontier into a populated and thriving state. Our state founders started programs for railroad, canals, roads, and public schools which almost bankrupt us. Due to the increase land value and produces saved our butts.
During the American Civil War, Indiana became a political influence in our nation. We were one of the first western states to mobilize our soldiers at the start of the Civil War.
In the 1900’s, we became a strong manufacturing state. Of course, the depression almost destroyed our manufacturing. We recovered during World War 2.
This is only a brief history of my home state of Indiana. If your interested in learning more like the birth place of Abraham Lincoln, Tecumseh’s War, War Of 1812, etc. Here are some webpages that will give you a start in the world of discovering more of my home state of Indiana‘s history: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana#State_symbols http://www.answers.com/topic/indiana

Indiana Economy

Our highest income percentage is in manufacturing like pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, steel, automobiles, electrical equipment, transportation equipment, chemical products, rubber, petroleum and coal products, and factory machinery.
Our major crop is corn and soybeans. Believe me when I say, you can’t take a ride on the highway or a back road here in Indiana during the summertime without seeing rows of corn or soybeans.
We are becoming one of the leading state in the biofuels. Reynolds, located north of Lafayette is now known as BioTown, USA. The town is experimenting with using biofuels and organic fuels, such as those made with manure, to power the town.
Our mining is in limestone and coal.

Fun Facts In Indiana

Santa Claus, Indiana: During Christmas season Santa Claus, Indiana receives over a million letters and requests.
Stolen Profits: In June of 1972, Lowell Elliot of Peru, Indiana was said to have found $500,000 in cash on his farm. It looked like the money fell from the sky. It did. A skyjacker parachuting out of a plane had dropped his stolen profits over Elliot’s farm. Elliot returned the money to the authorities.
Corn: Half the cropland in Indiana is corn.
The Slippery Noodle Inn: Was establish in 1850. It is one of Indiana’s oldest bars. During Prohibition, the Al Brady and John Dillinger gangs were patrons of the inn. The gangs used the building in the rear (originally a horse stable for the Inn) for target practice. Today, several bullets remain embedded in the lower east wall.

Places To Visit In Indiana:

Indiana has plenty of places to visit depending on the kind of person you are. Turkey Run State Park is a park one can go hiking, canoeing, fishing, camping and enjoy nature.
There is Indiana Beach, an amusement park on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. They have over 30 rides and attractions. I am not sure if one can do it now but when I was a kid, my brothers, sisters, and I use to throw our popcorn in the lake to watch the cod pop up to eat it. What can I say it was amusing to us besides the rides.
There is Wolf Park. A park which is a preserve for wolfs.
Mounds State Park is known for its prehistoric Indian mounds in Anderson, Indiana. You can go fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking.
You can go to Parke County and visit the 30 Cover Bridges driving tour. Parke County has the largest concentrate of covered bridges in our nation.
In Battleground, Indiana, there is a small graveyard and monument dedicated to the soldiers that fought in the ‘Battle Of Tippecanoe’. Behind this is a lovely creek one can sit and enjoy the tranquility of the area.
If you are a person that enjoys art, Lafayette, Indiana, has a lovely art museum.
Oh, yeah, I can’t forget Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace in southern Indiana. The park has hiking, the old Lincoln homestead, the gravesite of Good Ole Abe’s mother.
There are other places to visit in my home state. To find out more go to the website: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/index.aspx