We just learned about the US State of Illinois.
Indiana is a state in the midwest part of the US, with the north west part of the state bordering Lake Michigan.
It's state nickname is The Hoosier State. A Hoosier is just a funny nickname for someone from Indiana.
The state motto is The Crossroads of America because there are many big roads that go through Indiana, and in the past many railroads and river canals went through the state.
The name Indiana means land of the indians.
(from: wikipedia - indiana)
The flag has a blue background, with a gold torch for liberty and enlightenment, and 19 golden stars since it was the 19th state to join the union.
13 of the stars are in the outside circle for the original 13 colonies in the US.
5 of the stars are in the next circle for the next 5 states that joined the US.
1 star above the torch is for Indiana.
(from: wikipedia - flag of indiana)
The Indiana state seal has a sun rising over mountains, a bison running, a woodsman chopping a sycamore tree, and the state tree of the tulip in the border.
(from: wikipedia - seal of indiana)
Indiana has many sand dunes on Lake Michigan.
(from: wikipedia - indiana dunes state park)
There is a famous car race in the city of Indianapolis, called the Indianapolis 500.
(from: wikipedia - indianapolis 500)
There is a town in Indiana named Santa Claus.
The whole town is Christmas themed, and has lakes named Christmas Lake, Lake Holly and Lake Noel.
The town has Santa's Candy Castle, Santa Claus Museum, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Frosty's Fun Center, Christmas Lake Golf Course, Santa's Stables, Santa's Lodge and Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.
The Holiday World theme park has different rides for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fourth of July.
(from: wikipedia - santa claus, indiana)
Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Burma
