Best Fun Facts About Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is an important landmark of American history.
- Massachusetts has the second-largest cranberry crop in the nation!
- The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is also the most populous city in New England.
- Massachusetts has a 40-member Senate and a 160-member House of Representatives.
- Massachusetts has a First American public secondary school, Boston Latin Grammar School.
Full Answer
What were three unique facts about colonial Massachusetts?
What were three unique facts about colonial Massachusetts? Massachusetts Colony Facts The Massachusetts Colony was one of the original 13 colonies in America. The 13 original colonies were divided into three areas including the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. What was the land like in the colony of ...
What is Massachusetts most famous for?
- We Love Cranberries. Like most people, you probably weren't aware that the cranberry is Massachusetts' official state berry.
- We Light the Way. Massachusetts is home to the very first American lighthouse, which was built in the Boston Harbor in 1716.
- We Make Great Coffee.
- We Enjoy Animals.
- We Recycle.
What are some historical facts about Massachusetts?
What are some fun facts about Massachusetts? The Commonwealth of Massachusetts became the sixth state to join the new independent union in 1788. It was the first state to write and adopt a constitution (1780), which served as a model for the U.S. Constitution.
What are facts on Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Facts
- U.S. State: Massachusetts
- Abbreviation: MA
- Joined the USA: February 6th, 1788 (6th State)
- Located: Northeastern United States
- Capital City: Boston, MA
- Most Populated City: Boston, MA
What are 5 interesting facts about Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Fun FactsMassachusetts has a State Berry: the Cranberry. ... Massachusetts is sometimes called the Baked Bean State. ... The First American Lighthouse is in Massachusetts. ... Massachusetts is home to the paper house. ... The place with the longest name is in Massachusetts. ... Roadside rocking horses are found in Massachusetts.More items...•
What are some important facts about Massachusetts?
Fast FactsNickname: The Bay State.Statehood: 1788; 6th state.Population (as of July 2016): 6,811,779.Capital: Boston.Biggest City: Boston.Abbreviation: MA.State bird: black-capped chickadee.State flower: mayflower.
What Massachusetts is famous for?
Massachusetts is known for its many colleges and universities, including Harvard University, the first institution of higher learning in the country (founded in 1636). And Bay State residents value education: Massachusetts has the highest percentage of residents with a college degree in the nation.
What made Massachusetts unique?
One of the original 13 colonies and one of the six New England states, Massachusetts (officially called a commonwealth) is perhaps best known for being the landing place of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. English explorer and colonist John Smith named the state for the Massachusett tribe.
What's a fun fact for the day?
Fun Facts and TriviaIt is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ... A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.A shrimp's heart is in its head.It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.More items...
What is Massachusetts known for food?
The Extremely Definitive Ranking of Every Official Massachusetts State FoodBaked Navy Beans (State Bean) ... Cranberry Juice (State Beverage) ... Corn Muffin (State Muffin) ... Cranberry (State Berry) ... Turkey (State Game Bird) ... Boston Cream Pie (State Dessert) ... Boston Cream Pie Donut (State Donut) ... Cod (State Fish)More items...•
What is Massachusetts best at?
The top state overall? Massachusetts, with the best education and health rankings for the U.S., as well as top 10 rankings for safety (4th), quality of life (6th) and economy (10th) -- though it was near the bottom in the country for affordability (44th).
What was invented in Mass?
Check out these awesome inventions that have their roots in Massachusetts.Chocolate Chip Cookies. Wikimedia Commons. ... Disposable Safety Razors. Flickr/Dmitriy. ... The Telephone (sort of) Wikimedia Commons. ... Microwave Ovens. Flickr/Ewen Roberts. ... Bose. Flickr/Quattro Vageena. ... Basketball. ... Computerized Spreadsheets. ... Rubber Tires.More items...•
How smart is Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is the smartest state in the country according to WalletHub's 2021's Most & Least Educated States in America report. WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics examining educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races.
What are 3 facts about the Massachusetts colony?
Interesting Massachusetts Colony Facts: The Massachusetts Bay Colony wasn't settled for another 10 years. When the Pilgrims first arrived in 1620 it was the local Wamapanoag Indians who taught them how to plant crops. The Indians and the Pilgrims went on to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in the New World together.
Is Massachusetts the oldest state?
One of the six New England states, and one of the first 13 states in the Union (it entered in 1788), Massachusetts is known as the "Bay State" or as the "Old Colony State." The Pilgrims established their settlement at Plymouth in 1620, arriving on the Mayflower.
What were some important events in Massachusetts?
Here are just a few of them:1602 Bartholomew Gosnold established the first trading post in Massachusetts.1620 Pilgrims first land in Provincetown.1620 The first religious meeting house was built in Plymouth.1621 The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Plymouth.1628 John Endicott established a settlement in Salem.More items...
What are 5 interesting facts about New Hampshire?
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The State of New...New Hampshire was the first state to have its own constitution. ... New Hampshire's Mount Washington is one the windiest places on earth. ... Paul Revere rode here first. ... The 1995 hit movie “Jumanji” was filmed in Keene.More items...•
What are 5 interesting facts about Connecticut?
Fast FactsNickname: The Constitution State.Statehood: 1788; 5th state.Population (as of July 2015): 3,590,886.Capital: Hartford.Biggest city: Bridgeport.Abbreviation: CT.State bird: American robin.State flower: mountain laurel.
Is Massachusetts the oldest state?
One of the six New England states, and one of the first 13 states in the Union (it entered in 1788), Massachusetts is known as the "Bay State" or as the "Old Colony State." The Pilgrims established their settlement at Plymouth in 1620, arriving on the Mayflower.
What are 5 interesting facts about Maryland?
Let's take a look.The First Marylanders Were Native Americans. That's right! ... Maryland Became a British Colony in 1634. ... St. ... The U.S. National Anthem Was Written in Maryland. ... Baltimore Received the First Long-Distance Telegram.
Are Fig Newtons really named after the town in Massachusetts?
This one may not be such a surprise to you if you are a fan of The Big Bang Theory, but yes, Fig Newtons were named after the town Newton in Massac...
Did gay marriage begin in Massachusetts?
While the concept of gay marriage did not start in Massachusetts, it was in this state that court orders first declared that gay marriage would be...
What was Massachusetts named after?
Massachusetts got its name from the English explorer and colonist John Smith. He named the state this way after the Massachuset tribe. The name rou...
What is Lake Webster?
What’s now known to most as Lake Webster was originally Lake Chargoggagoggman chauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg before being shortened to Lake Chaubunagungamaug. It derives from the Loup dialect, which is an Algonquian language. This is the longest place name in the country. 11.
Why was Christmas banned in Massachusetts?
Once upon a time, Christmas was illegal in Massachusetts. Way back in 1659, Boston passed a law that outlawed the celebration of Christmas. This was due to Puritans believing the holiday was too indulgent, and therefore immoral. Of course, this was reversed about 20 years later.
When was the subway in Beantown built?
The T is just a normal part of our lives here in Beantown, but Boston’s subway system was the first ever created. Since it’s construction in 1897, we all know it’s had quite a few hiccups, but it’s still been a main form of transportation in Beantown for more than a century.
When was Fig Newton invented?
These beloved treats were invented in Cambridge in 1891. They were almost called “Fig Shrewsbury,” but Newton won. In our opinion, Fig Newton sounds way better.
Where was the first zip code?
While the first zip code in the world is in Germany, the first of the states is in Agawam, Massachusetts.
Is it illegal to eat tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts?
While this spot is now a popular attraction in Boston, another interesting fact is that it used to be used to graze sheep! 7. It’s technically illegal to use tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts.
Can you put tomatoes in clam chowder?
It’s technically illegal to use tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts. There are quite a few under-the-radar laws in Massachusetts from back in the day that aren’t enforced anymore. One prohibits using tomatoes in clam chowder since the classic New England recipe would never dream of tainting the soup with tomato!
What did the pilgrims realize when they arrived?
When the Pilgrims arrived, they quickly realized that they would need to make peace with the local tribes.
How many gallons of molasses does Purity distillate?
The Purity Distillation Company was doing just this at their distillery in Boston, where they had an enormous tank that held up to 2.5 million gallons (9.4 million liters) of molasses.
What language did the Europeans speak?
By the time Europeans came onto the scene, there were many different tribes, all speaking variations of the Algonquian language.
What was the Boston Tea Party?
The British introduced laws that gave the British East India Company an essential monopoly on the tea trade in the region, thus lowering any potential profits of companies based in Massachusetts.
What does Massachusetts mean?
There are several different ways in which the name can be translated, too, with Massachusetts meaning “near the great hill, ” “at the little big hill,” or “by the blue hills.”
How many people will live in Massachusetts in 2021?
It has a population of 7.1 million (as of 2021), making it the 15 th most populous state. Massachusetts is bordered by Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
What were the two colonies in Massachusetts?
Long before Massachusetts was a state, it was two different colonies, specifically the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Plymouth Colony.
What is Birdseye's patent number?
Birdseye was issued US Patent #1,773, 079 that marked the beginning of the frozen food industry. A range of frozen foods were test marketed in Springfield, Massachusetts; and after a great response from the public, the company continued to sell their frozen food products and the rest is history. 34.
What are some interesting facts about Massachusetts?
28. It was here in Massachusetts that the process of Vulcanization was invented by Charles Goodyear in a factory in Woburn where he lived. He accidentally combined rubber and sulfur upon a hot stove. Much to Goodyear’s surprise, the rubber didn’t melt.
What state gave birth to birth control pills?
39. Massachusetts is the birth of American Revolution where the first resistance against the British colonial rule emerged. 40. The state also gave birth to the birth control pills. Dr. Gregory Pincus developed the pills in the 1959s in the Clark University in Worcester.
What is the capital of the state of Massachusetts?
Springfield the capital of the state is its third most populous city. The city is located on Connecticut River’s eastern bank. Springfield is often called the “Hoop City.”. Other nicknames of the state’s capital Springfield are the “City of the Firsts” and the “City of Homes.”. 42.
Why is Springfield known as the Knowledge Corridor?
The Springfield-Hartford region is known as the “Knowledge Corridor” because of the facts that the region has more than 32 universities and shelters more than 150,000 students. This is the second-largest concentration of higher learning institutions in the United States.
Why did Boston tea parties happen?
To protest the British tea tax, many Bostonians dumped tea from three British ships into the sea. The event happened on Boston harbor and was since then widely known as the Boston Tea Party. 38. In 1826, Massachusetts became home to the first railroad in the U.S.
Where was the first telephone installed?
Interesting facts about Massachusetts: Charles Williams Jr. House where the world’s first telephone was installed. 32. The Charles Williams, Jr. House located on Arlington Street, Somerville, is the location of the first residential telephone line in the world. The phone inside the house connected to the owner’s office 3 miles away ...
What is the Massachusetts motto?
Massachusetts’ motto is as follows; Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem, and when translated into English reads; By the Sword, We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty. The motto was written around 1659 and is attributed to the English patriot Algernon Sydney.
What are some interesting facts about Massachusetts?
Economic Facts About Massachusetts 1 Massachusetts’ GDP is around $596 billion. 2 Massachusetts has a progressive income tax rate of 5%. 3 The sales tax rate in Massachusetts is 6%. 4 Massachusetts ranks 1st for its education system (US News & World Report). 5 The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $12.75 per hour. 6 Massachusetts ranks 2nd for healthcare (US News & World Report). 7 According to the US News & World Report, Massachusetts ranks 7th out of all 50 states for the strongest economy. 8 WalletHub has ranked Massachusetts 3rd for the overall best state economies in the United States! 9 The average house price in Massachusetts is $457,192, however, this number is seasonally adjusted, to keep updated, take a look at Zillow’s website. 10 Health care and social assistance is the leading small business employer industry in the state, followed by accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific, and technical services. 11 84.63% of Massachusetts entrepreneurs create a business by choice rather than necessity. 12 An average of 5.88 jobs are created by Massachusetts startups in their first year. 13 Massachusetts boasts a high startup survival rate of 81.18%. 14 There are currently over 700,000 small businesses operating out of Massachusetts. 15 These small businesses account for over 99% of all Massachusetts businesses. 16 Massachusetts is home to 1.5 million small business employees. 17 Over 45% of Massachusetts employees are small business employees. 18 Massachusetts firms with 20 to 99 employees have the largest share of small business employment.
How many World Series has the Boston Redsox won?
The team has won a total of nine World Series championships and there seems to be no sign of slowing down!
How deep is the Ted Williams Tunnel?
20. The last of the fun facts about Massachusetts originate from Boston’s Ted Williams Tunnel, which is the deepest in North America, reaching 90 feet below the surface.
What is the maximum speed limit in Massachusetts?
7. The maximum speed limit in Massachusetts is 65 mph.
What is the capital of Massachusetts?
1. The capital city of Massachusetts is Boston, it has been the state’s capital city since being established in 1630 and is not only the largest city in Massachusetts but the largest in New England too!
When did Dunkin Donuts open in Massachusetts?
6. Like donuts? Then you will be a massive fan of Massachusetts! The first-ever Dunkin Donuts opened in Quincy, MA, in 1948. If you visit the state’s capital city of Boston, you will never be more than 1.45 miles away from a Dunkin Donut shop.
What is public school enrollment?
Note: Public school enrollment figures represent the number of “school- attending children,” which includes residents attending any public school, including academic regional schools, vocational/technical regional schools, collaboratives and out-of-district public schools.
What does "year" mean in parentheses?
The year in parentheses is when the item was designated a state symbol.
What is the state flag?
STATE FLAG: A white rectangular field bears on either side a representation of the arms of the Commonwealth, except that the star is white. State law also prescribes a naval and maritime flag, which bears a pine tree rather than the state seal, and a governor’s flag, which is triangular.
How many members are in the Senate?
LEGISLATURE: 40-member Senate and 160-member House of Representatives.
What was the purpose of the Massachusetts Bay Company's charter?
In 1629, a royal charter was granted to the Massachusetts Bay Company to promote the settlement of the territory and to govern the colonies. Various forms of increasingly repressive British rule culminated in the first battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord.
Where was the first computer invented?
1928: First computer, developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
When was the first American novel published?
1789: First American novel published, William Hill Brown’s “The Power of Sympathy,” Worcester
What is the official polka of the Commonwealth?
10. "Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts" by Lenny Gomulka is the official polka of the Commonwealth.
What was the name of the state that was granted independence in 1820?
It was called the District of Maine, and wasn't granted statehood until 1820. The people of Maine campaigned for their independence from Massachusetts for years before the Missouri Compromise gave them a bittersweet victory – Maine would be admitted into the nation as a free state, while Missouri would gain statehood as a slave state.
How much was Isabella Stewart Gardner's art stolen?
Twelve paintings worth over $100 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 13, 1990. The thieves posed as Boston police officers and simply walked out with the artwork. Most of the pieces have never been recovered, and the museum is still offering a reward for information leading to their return.
When did Maine become a state?
For real. It was called the District of Maine, and wasn't granted statehood until 1820. The people of Maine campaigned for their independence from Massachusetts for years before the Missouri Compromise gave them a bittersweet victory – Maine would be admitted into the nation as a free state, while Missouri would gain statehood as a slave state.
When was birth control invented?
3. The birth control pill was invented in Worcester in 1954. Researchers at Clark University were influenced by the work of Margaret Sanger, who campaigned for the development of a contraceptive for poor women who were burdened by frequent pregnancies. The pill was approved by the FDA in 1960.
When did Massachusetts start a seashore?
Beachgoers across the country have Massachusetts to thank for introducing the idea of a state-maintained seashore to the nation in 1895.
Is Massachusetts a state?
Massachusetts is technically not a state. We're actually a commonwealth, along with Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Technically, a commonwealth is a politically organized body of people which is under one government, while a state is a territory which is controlled and governed by a particular nation.
