January 29 is Red Carnation Day at the Ohio Statehouse

Ohio adopted its official state flower, the red carnation, in 1904. The state Legislature chose the red carnation to honor U.S. President William McKinley (who also served as Ohio Governor), who was assassinated in 1901. McKinley liked to wear red carnations stuck in his buttonhole on the lapel of his jacket.

Alliance, Ohio is known as ‘Carnation City.’

President McKinley

William McKinley was born in Niles on January 29, 1843. McKinley was the nation's 25th president, serving from 1897-1901. McKinley dispatched the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba, and declared war on Spain after the Maine's explosion. The Spanish-American War lasted less than three months and ended in a complete victory for the United States. The war resulted in the United States annexing Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. McKinley was also known for upholding the gold standard and promoting pluralism among ethnic groups.

McKinley was shot while at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died on September 14, 1901, eight days after being shot.

Visit OhioHistoryCentral.org for more information on President McKinley.

Click here for more information on Red Carnation Day at the Ohio Statehouse.

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