Daniel Boone Day

Daniel Boone Day is celebrated on June 7th, because on this day, in 1769, Daniel Boone was the first American to see the valleys and forests of Kentucky! The village of Boonesborough, Kentucky, was one of the first American settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains. Daniel Boone Day was founded by the Kentucky Historical Society more than 140 years ago and the day continues to go strong.

History of Daniel Boone Day

On this day in 1769, frontier hero Daniel Boone is said to have first set his sights on the land that would eventually become Kentucky. Daniel Boone Day is taken from John Filson's book, Discovery, Settlement, and Present of the State of Kentucky that has titled "The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone," whose information appears to have come from Boone himself, but was still written by Filson. The book is not considered by historians to be 100% accurate. Like many stories about Boone, it may include exaggerations and fabrications about his life. However, today's holiday celebrates Boone and his first visit to Kentucky. This day has been celebrated since the 19th century by the Kentucky Historical Society.

Daniel Boone - fur trapper, hunter, explorer and border guard - was born on November 2nd, 1734, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. As a youngster, Boone spent most of his time in the wilderness. Then his family moved to near the Yadkin River in North Carolina in 1750. As the result, he joined in the militia to protect white settlements from Native Americans. He also took part in the French and Indian Wars to fight British. That's when he first heard of "Kentucke."

In the late 1760s, Boone moved near the Cumberland Gap, the passage between the Cumberland Mountains (which are part of the Appalachian Mountains). Right on Kentucky's doorstep, the Cumberland Gap didn't have many white settlers at the time. The opening was discovered in 1750, but was actually not used much during the following decade because of the ongoing French and Indian War. The British banned westward expansion through the Appalachian Mountains after the war, which also hindered the use of the passage. Daniel Boone is one of those people who don't follow the law.

In 1775, Boone had corporate with the Transylvania Company to make a trail through the Cumberland Gap. Called the Wild Road, it became the main route for white settlers to the West. Soon after its completion, the Boonesborough settlement was established on the Kentucky River. Boone's wife and daughters settled and then became the first Anglo-American women to settle in Kentucky.

During the Revolutionary War, Boone worked in the Kentucky militia. In 1778, Boone was captured by Shawnee. He was able to escape and warn the inhabitants of Boonesborough that an attack was imminent, and they were able to brace themselves. With the publication of Discovery, Settlement, and Present of the State of Kentucky in 1784, Boone's already well-known reputation in Kentucky became even more widespread.

After the Revolutionary War, Boone settled in what is now West Virginia. Because of looking more and more space, he with his son moved to Missouri in 1799. Another factor that contributed to his move was that he lost all of his land in Kentucky in 1798. Loss of land was not lacking. Daniel Boone is only omission. For one, he was a slave owner. To say the least, his views on Native Americans are questionable. Nor is he a keen and deeply indebted land speculator. However, he had many other accomplishments, and we remember him today. He lived a long and fulfilling life, dying in St. Charles, Missouri, in 1820, aged 86.

Interesting facts about National Boone Day

Daniel Boone is an interesting character because he is a pioneer in his world. Here we have some events that will bring even more exciting and exciting news about National Boom Day and about Kentucky.

• John Filson wrote a book called "The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone" in 1784 and it was published on Daniel Boone's 50th birthday.
• In honor of President George Washington, the first monument on the South Mountain was erected by the people of Boonesborough on the Appalachian Trail. This was in 1827.
• It was 1934 when Kentucky's Kaelin's Restaurant served the first cheese sandwiches.
• The popular KFC recipe was perfected by Colonel Sanders in 1940 in Corbin, in his restaurant in the state.
• The first English-speaking community was established in Fort Boonesbourough on the western side of the Appalachian Mountains.
• The Cherokee and Shawnee Indians kidnapped the daughter of border guard Daniel Boone, who found her in just three days. This happened in 1776 when he tracked down not only his daughter but also two other girls and saved them.
• Daniel Boone claims that he can easily shoot fleas in the back of an animal and hence his gun is known as a “flea lick gun.
• There was a show about Daniel Boone's life on NBC that made this local folk hero even more famous.
• Daniel Boone was known to be skilled as a child helping his father and was able to hold and use a rifle by the age of 12.
• Kentucky was founded by Daniel Boone and now it is home to many famous tournaments such as KFC, Kentucky Derby, Bluegrass traditional music, Mammoth Cave National Park, and more.
• There are many trails, schools, national forests, and even a town named after Daniel Boone.

How to celebrate National Boone Day

• Read books about Daniel Boone

Read “The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boon” to learn more about Daniel Boone's life and times. You can also read other biographies about him like "First Settler of Kentucky."

• Visit the Kentucky Historical Society

Visit the Kentucky Historical Society to learn about Kentucky's rich history and heritage. You can also volunteer there if you want.

• Wildlife trail tourism (overland)

Although the trail itself has long been abandoned, modern highways mostly follow the same route. So you can travel the Wilderness Trail.

Some reasons for National Boone Day being important

• It celebrates the expansion of the West

Daniel Boone's discovery of the western Appalachian forests and valleys was the first step in the westward expansion of the United States. It later became what we now call Kentucky today.

• It celebrates the state of Kentucky

Daniel Boone is the man who laid the foundation for what is today Kentucky. Today, Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Fried Chicken, bourbon (Kentucky provides 95% of the world's bourbon), Mammoth Cave National Park, and traditional Bluegrass Music.

• Honor one of America's first folk heroes

Daniel Boone's efforts to colonize Kentucky during the American Revolution and establish new settlements made him one of America's first folk heroes. Daniel Boone Day celebrates his life, discoveries, and achievements that contributed to the growth of America.