States OC: Indiana

State Name: Indiana (The Hoosier State)
Human Name: Tony O. (Orville) Jones
Capital: Indianapolis
Ethnic Groups: German, Irish, English, African American
Birthday: December 11, 1816

Flag: The flag consists of a gold torch that represents liberty and enlightenment; the rays around the torch represent their far-reaching influence. The nineteen stars represent Indiana’s place as the nineteenth state to join the United States. The thirteen stars in the outer loop symbolize the original Thirteen Colonies, the five inner stars represent the next five states added to the Union, and the one large star above the torch represents Indiana.

State Flower: Peony
Animal: -
Bird: Cardinal
Sports: Auto racing, football, and basketball
Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic at 20%

Historical Facts: -Indiana was a part of the Ohio River Valley during the French and Indian War, also known as the “Seven Years War” in Europe. France had began colonizing the area at the same time colonial America started to, and they got into a dispute over who owned what. In the end, England and its colony won and claimed ownership over the Ohio River Valley. However, France would take it back (excluding Kentucky) momentarily before selling it to free-America as the Louisiana Purchase.

-No one really knows why Indiana is called the “Hoosier State,” but the nickname could possibly stem from an early pioneer phrase/greeting, “Who’shyer?” meaning “Who’s there” or “How are you?”

Personality: Quiet but productive, Indiana mostly keeps to himself because he’s rather shy, especially compared to his Ohio River Valley companions: Ohio, and Kentucky. Never afraid to get dirty, he has to be doing something with his hands at all times, whether it be fixing cars, making popcorn, mixing chemicals, or mining for coal. He and Michigan get along really well due to their love of automobiles. In fact, the only thing that can really evoke excitement and enthusiasm from Indiana is cars. America often-times confuses him with Illinois, though Indiana argues they look nothing alike. He hates France with a passion, especially ever since being taken away from colonial America during the Revolutionary War, and curses the name when its mentioned. However, on the other hand, he really looks up to Germany and his talents in car-production and engineering.

Trivia: -He and Ohio are very close, and he‘s inwardly pretty protective of her, considering her clumsily avid nature. She visits him nearly constantly, trying to get tips on how to make her industries and sports teams as good as his.

-Because America always thinks he’s Illinois, Indiana has tried endlessly to make himself more distinguishable from his western neighbor. No matter how many times he corrects America, he never seems to remember that Indiana is not Illinois. (Which is weird, because whenever America sees the REAL Illinois, he never mistakes him as Indiana.)

-Although they are neighbors and part of the Ohio River Valley, Indiana and Kentucky don’t seem to interact much, which is fine with the prior, considering they have nearly nothing in common. But Kentucky being Kentucky, he has to bother Indiana every now and again, causing the latter much distress and frustration.

-Since he’s constantly working with cars, chemicals, and coal, his face is always dirty and smudged with all sorts of nasty. But that doesn’t keep him from emitting a sophisticated and valiant aura around his peers.
-He uses his wrench to hit people when he’s upset, particularly with Kentucky when “the stupid redneck messes up [his] stuff“.

-Out of the Ohio River Valley Trio, he is the tallest.
-Popcorn is his favorite food in the whole wide world. He loves popcorn as much as Ohio loves the color red. (Which is a lot)

-Not only is he a good football player, but Indiana is probably one of the best drivers. He loves racing cars, especially when he’s hanging out with his best bro-buddy, Michigan. Speaking of which, Michigan is his best friend and is probably the one who knows him the best out of all the states, even Ohio.

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I really love Indiana. ;A; Not just the character I made, but the actual state itself. I live right on the border of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and Indiana is so beautiful and lovely~ Everyone there is so nice, too! <3

A lot of my info here was based off of my own personal experiences. It seems that a lot of people, especially where I’m from, tend to frequently confuse Indiana with Illinois, so I thought it’d be a nice touch to add to him. As for his relationship with Ohio, whenever I visit Indiana, it seems to feel like there are just as many Ohioan license plates as there are Hoosiers. However, in Ohio, it’s a treat to see a Hoosier plate. (We see Kentuckian plates instead!)
And speak of the devil. I’m going to be finishing Kentucky’s profile next