National Bean Day is celebrated every year on Jan. 6. This day celebrates the bean in all sizes, shapes and colors. Illinois has close ties to beans as Decatur is known as the “soybean capital of the world.”

The soybean’s rise can be traced back to one enterprising Illinois industrialist, A.E. Staley. Staley was the first to process the soybean bean into oil and meal at his plant in Decatur in 1922, two years before the USDA even began tracking the crop.

At the time, over a third of all soybeans grown in the world were processed in Decatur. In 1955, a group of Decatur executives founded the Soy Capital Bank to trade on the nickname.

A. E. Staley became one of the largest processors of corn in the United States, second only to Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), also based in Decatur. Staley also processed soybeans under a partnership agreement with ADM at its Decatur plant.

Decatur is an important commercial and agricultural distribution center, with large corn and soybean processing plants and varied industries, including the manufacture of construction and mining equipment, iron castings, control valves, automotive parts, glass, electric motors and generators, and pharmaceuticals.

Decatur is now the soybean-processing center for the country and has one of the largest processing plants in North America.

I Like Illinois is a one stop shop to see all the great things Illinois has to offer. Regularly sharing artists, inventions or activities, we have enjoyed highlighting what we like about Illinois.

As 2024 comes to an end, we wanted to share our top 10 articles! From cicadas to artists, check out what you loved about Illinois this year:

National Illinois Day is celebrated on Dec.7 each year. It is established to commemorate the history, art and culture of the state.

As the twenty-first state to join the Union, Illinois' distinct politics, industry, agriculture and population creates an intriguing contrast to other states.

Here are ten facts about Illinois that shows its greatness:

On Oct. 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” the proclamation stated.

At that time, Lincoln saw the proclamation as a peaceful interlude amid the Civil War.

Lincoln’s announcement marked the culmination of a multi-decade campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale to make Thanksgiving into a national holiday. After Lincoln issued his proclamation, states began celebrating Thanksgiving on the same date, thus giving Lincoln the credit for nationalizing the holiday.

Now, many years later, people across the nation look forward to gathering with their loved ones and spreading gratitude thanks to Lincoln.

Did you know that the world’s largest corn maze is located in Spring Grove at the Richardson Adventure Farm? The massive family-owned farm is located 65 miles northwest of Chicago and covers an impressive 28 acres!

Every year, the farm has a new theme for the maze, such as “Jurassic Park.” This year’s theme celebrates John Deere, the Illinois-based agriculture equipment manufacturer.

The entire 10-mile maze – open annually from September to October – has zero dead ends and is surrounded by a perimeter path so attendees can stop and grab a snack or hot apple cider any time. The maze also features 24 hidden checkpoints, a farm scene investigation game and more.

Richardson Farm was founded in 1840. The farm hosts a number of fun activities throughout the year, including a tulip festival, sunflower fields in the summer, a craft beer festival and a Christmas tree farm. This family-owned farm is just one gem in our state that encompasses the core of what Illinois has to offer!

To learn more about the world’s largest corn maze, visit their website.