Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late 19^th century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

In 1819, one year after Illinois became a state, the legislature passed the Apprenticeship Act, protecting the rights of minors. Primarily an agricultural state in the nineteenth century’s first decades, Illinois missed the wave of labor activism that swept the East Coast in the 1820s and 1830s, but by 1861 had enough coal miners to serve as the launching point for the first national miner’s union, the American Miners’ Association formed that year in Belleville. In the early 1870s, labor founded the Workingmen’s Party and, beginning in 1877, the Knights of Labor enjoyed great success in a number of Illinois cities. As an important railroad center, Illinois played a significant role in the 1877 national rail strike and troops were sent to Chicago, Decatur, East St. Louis, Galesburg and Peoria.

National Roller Coaster Day on Aug. 16 is a day to go out and celebrate by having your stomach drop and hands go up on some of the thrilling rides Illinois has to offer. This year we highlight Six Flags Great America. This amusement park in Lake County has 16 roller coasters and is among the top 20 in most visited amusement parks in North America!

Let’s start with the brand new Wrath of Rakshasa. This ride is the steepest and most inverted dive coaster in the world. Towering ominously at an impressive 180 feet, this dive coaster invites you to ascend into the shadows before surrendering to a heart-stopping 171-foot drop at a record-breaking beyond-vertical 96 degrees that feels like a descent into the abyss. As the world’s most inverted dive coaster, Wrath of Rakshasa sends you into a whirlwind of five inversions that will test your limits and leave you breathless. It reaches speeds of nearly 67 miles per hour as you race through the demon’s lair, soaring through 3,239 feet of steel track.

As Memorial Day approaches, we take a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifices of those who served our nation. Illinois has two significant national cemeteries: the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and the Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Located in Elwood, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery was dedicated in 1999 to honor the legacy of President Lincoln, who established the national cemetery system during the Civil War. This serene space covers nearly 1,000 acres and provides veterans, along with their families, a peaceful final resting place. Its memorial walkway features monuments that recognize veterans from various conflicts and organizations, including the first federally approved monument honoring LGBTQ veterans, which was dedicated in 2015.

The Camp Butler National Cemetery, located near Springfield, carries considerable historical significance. Established in 1861 as a Union Army training camp, it later served as a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. Today, over 25,000 veterans and their family members rest here, including soldiers from both sides of the Civil War. Notable interments include Medal of Honor recipient Seaman John H. Catherwood and Colonel Otis B. Duncan, the highest-ranking African American officer during World War I.

Both cemeteries are solemn and powerful reminders of Illinois' commitment to honoring those who sacrificed for our freedom.

May 1, 2025 is Illinois History Day! Illinois was discovered in 1673 by explorer Louis Jolliet and Jesuit Father Jacques Marquette when they floated down the great Mississippi, returning up the Illinois River and crossed the portage to Lake Michigan where Chicago now stands.

Cahokia, Illinois' first permanent European settlement, was established in 1699 along the Mississippi River across from what is now St. Louis. The French and Indian War, or Seven Years' War, came to an end in 1763 with a victory for Britain, which gains control over the Illinois country. With the end of the American Revolution in 1783, Illinois became territory of the United States − technically part of the state of Virginia. Illinois would later join the Union on Dec. 3, 1818 – becoming the 21^st state.

On April 25, communities throughout Illinois celebrate an American tradition dating back to 1887: Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is a holiday that encourages people to plant trees. Planting a tree represents the belief that the tree will provide our community with cleaner air, a habitat for wildlife, and natural beauty. Illinois’ first Arbor Day was held in 1887, but not until 1949 did the state legislature legally declare the last Friday in April as “Arbor and Bird Day.” The purpose of the legislation was to plant trees, shrubs and vines about homes, along the highways and on public grounds to show the value of trees and birds and the necessity of their protection, thus contributing to the comforts and attractions of the state of Illinois.