Illinois Statehood

A commemorative postage stamp on the 150^th Anniversary of Illinois Statehood :

Issued by United States of America

Issued on Feb 12, 1968

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : 6 cents

Colour : Multi Colour

About : 

• In 1818, 150 years ago, Illinois was admitted to the Union as the 21^st state. Seven years earlier in 1811, the oldest post office in the state by way of continuous operation was established at Shawneetown. Illinois (derived from the Illiniwek Indian meaning “tribe of superior men”) was first explored by Louis Jolliet and French missionary Father Jacques Marquette during their journey down the Mississippi River in 1673. Originally owned by France, Illinois was ceded to Great Britain in 1763. It became United States property in 1783 and was part of the Northwest Territory (1787-1799), Indiana Territory (1800-1807), and Illinois Territory (1809-1817). Ranking third among the 50 states in both agriculture and industry, Illinois is in many ways the heart of the U.S., with Chicago (second largest city in the country) the center of activity. The state slogan is “Land of Lincoln” and Springfield, the state capital, is still best known as the place where Lincoln practiced law for 24 years.