Illinois became the 21st state of the Union on December 3, 1818! It’s a French interpretation of the Miami-Illinois word irenwewa, which means “he speaks the regular way,” but you can also call it The Land of Lincoln! Its capital is Springfield, and its largest city is Chicago! Illinois’ state motto is “State Sovereignty, National Union!” This state is famous for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pullman and Haymarket Square Strikes, Cahokia Mounds, the Piasa Bird, Wrigley Field, Chicago dogs, and deep-dish pizza!