Thread by @mocayton1

Why do they say that Ohio is the heart of it all?

Maybe because it is a Bellwether state. The State of Ohio has historically been a bellwether state and continues to hold that status. Only failing to predict the President once since 1980 and is home to more US Presidents than any other state.

Or maybe! It is because the first organized settlement in the NW Territory is in Ohio. Founded by Rufus Putnam "the Father of Ohio" who, in 1808, was elected the First Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio.

The Grand Lodge of Ohio has been in continual existence since 1808 and as of May 2023 had over 430 Chartered lodges and more than 64,000 members.

Did you know that Congress did not pass a specific resolution formally admitting Ohio as the 17th state. On Feb. 19, 1803 President Jefferson signed the act of Congress that approved Ohio's boundaries and constitution.

And, furthermore, did you know that on Aug. 7, 1953, President Eisenhower signed a law to end the dispute about the actual calendar day Ohio was admitted to the Union? Rep. George Bender introduced the legislation on 1-13-53. Maybe that is why Ohio is referred to as.........

The "Buckey State". Early 1800s, the term "buckeye" had a decidedly negative meaning. The meaning of the word buckeye originally meant "fake or useless".

And! Did you know that for nearly a century after statehood, Ohio did not have a legally authorized state flag? Adopted in 1902, the Ohio Burgee is the official flag of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a triangular swallowtail flag, the ONLY NON-RECTANGULAR U.S. state flag..

The flag has been officially defined as a "burgee" since 2002, even though burgees are typically used as MARITIME flags. Also referred to as a pennant or a guidon.

In the US military, a guidon is a military standard or flag carried to signify unit designation and branch/corps affiliation or the title of the individual who carries it. The significance of the guidon is that it represents the unit and its COMMANDING OFFICER. Interesting....

It has three red and two white horizontal stripes
that represent the roads and waterways of the state. Again, interesting. Hmmmmm. Those stripes look familiar. Symbolism.......

The union of the flag has seventeen five-pointed stars, white in a blue triangular field, the base of which shall be the staff end or vertical edge of the flag, and the apex of which shall be the center of the middle red stripe. Like this..........

And this..........

The stars are grouped around a red disc superimposed upon a white circular "O". Amazing metamorphosis over time isn't it?

The 13 stars are grouped around the "O" representing the original states of the US and 4 stars added to the peak of the triangle to symbolize that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union. 13 you say?

All very interesting and thought provoking. Coincidence? More to come about the great state of Ohio.