Kentucky

- Capital: Frankfort
- Governor: Steve Beshear Kentucky.gov: Governor Steve Beshear
- Population: 4,206,074 (2006)U.S. Census Bureau: Kentucky
- Founded: 1792Net State: Kentucky
- Eastern
  : UTC-5/DST-4
- Central
  : UTC-6/DST-5
- Major cities: Frankfort, Louisville
- Cardinal (bird)
- Goldenrod (flower)
- Blackberry (fruit)
- Tulip Poplar (tree)
- Clogging (dance)
- Milk (beverage)
- Coal (mineral)
- Nickname: Bluegrass State
- Highest point: Black Mountain
- Lowest point: Mississippi River

The commonwealth of Kentucky is located in the central eastern part of the United States. Originally part of Virginia, Kentucky was named the 15th state in the Union in 1792.
In January 2009, a major winter storm hit Kentucky, causing the worst power outage in the state's history. More than one million people were without power at the height of the ice storm, and at least 16 weather-related deaths were reported. At least 250,000 Kentucky residents were still without power as of February 2, 2009, in what Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear called "the biggest natural disaster that this state has ever experienced in modern history."CNN: Quarter million still without power in Kentucky
History

Initially inhabited by Native Americans in prehistoric times, it wasn't until the 1700s when explorers and settlers began to colonize the area. Originally part of Virginia, the current region of Kentucky was known as Kentucky County after the American Revolution. The residents of the area petitioned for statehood, and on June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state of the Union. During the Civil War, Kentucky was one of the few states to remain neutral. During the early 20th century, German immigrants settled in throughout the northern regions of the state, causing some social unrest as the United States became involved in World War I.
Power Outage

In January 2009, a major winter storm hit the Southeast, including Kentucky, causing what officials said was "the worst power outage in the state's history." On January 27, 2009, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency in the wake of the storm. As of January 30, 2009, more than 1.3 million were without power. At least 11 weather-related deaths had been reported.MSNBC: Beshear Declares State Of Emergency (January 27, 2009) CNN: Winter storm causes massive Kentucky outage (January 30, 2009) Houston Chronicle: Life after ice storm dire, getting worse in spots (January 30, 2009) The entire 4,600 members of the Kentucky National Guard were called up to help deal with the storm's aftermath.Washington Post: All Guardsmen in Ky. Called to Ice Storm Duty (February 1, 2009) On the morning of February 2, 2009, reports said 250,000 Kentucky residents remained without power.CNN: Quarter million still without power in Kentucky