© 2007 The Ohio Secretary of State & The Ohio Public Library Information Network
 

Frank Lausche 1895-1990
That Frank Lausche is the first and only person in Ohio
history elected to five terms as governor is no surprise; his hard work ethic and plain-speaking technique made him wildly popular with Ohioans. Raised in the Slovenian section of Cleveland, Lausche declined a professional baseball career to attend law school. He worked his way up from Democratic ward leader to municipal judge, and from there he went on to serve as Cleveland mayor, Ohio governor, and U.S. senator. Lausche was a true “man of the people”; it is said that he turned down political
donations of more than $100, drove old cars and wore old suits, and never smoked a cigar that cost more than a nickel.

Tomato juice

James A. Rhodes 1909-2001
Many of the state resources and amenities Ohioans enjoy today can be directly attributed to the efforts of James Rhodes, whom many consider to be the most enduring politician in state history. Born in Coalton, Rhodes was elected to his first office during Franklin Roosevelt’s first term as president and won his last election during the Reagan administration. During that time he served four terms as governor of Ohio; his career was distinguished by his continual efforts to improve the state. For example, Rhodes made sure that there was a learning institution within 30 miles of every family and an airport in every county. His successes include adding many new
highways, state parks, vocational schools, technical and community colleges, two medical schools, and six new state universities.

1946 - The U.S. Air Force chooses Chuck Yeager, a pilot instructor at Wright Field, to test its first rocket aircraft, breaking the sound barrier in 1947.

1949 - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is created by the Legislature.

1953 - Congress discovers it neglected to officially recognize Ohio's statehood and passes a formal resolution declaring Ohio's entry into the Union as March 1, 1803.