Massachusetts – ipl Stately Knowledge: Facts about the United States

Massachusetts

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AbbreviationMA
Source: United States Postal Service – Abbreviations
CapitalBoston
Population6,547,629
Source: Resident Population Data – 2010 Census
GovernorDeval Patrick (Democrat, to January 2015)
Entered the UnionFeb. 6, 1788
as the 6th state
MottoEnse petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)
NicknameThe Bay State, The Old Colony State
FlowerMayflower
BirdChickadee
SongAll Hail to Massachusetts
Professional Sports TeamsBoston Celtics (Basketball); New England Patriots (Football); Boston Red Sox (Baseball); Boston Bruins (Hockey); New England Revolution (Soccer)
(sports listing policy)
Origin of NameFrom two Indian words meaning “Great Mountain Place”
Historical SitesMinute Man National Historical Park, Boston’s National Historical Park, Old State House(Boston), Old South Meeting House(Boston), Bunker Hill Monument(Boston), Old North Churc h(Boston), Paul Revere’s House(Boston), Charlestown Navy Yard
Points of InterestCape Cod, USS Constitution, and the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
Bordering StatesMassachusetts borders Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
FlagMassachusetts's flag

Follow these links to read articles about Massachusetts from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:

Official State Links

Other State Links

  • 50states.com: Massachusetts
    http://www.50states.com/massachu.htm
    The site provides a wealth of information about Massachusetts. It includes everything from the highest point to county profile to climate.
  • Things To Do in Massachusetts
    http://www.thingstodo.com/states/MA/index.htm
    ThingsToDo.com is an online guide to information about entertainment, recreation, and travel in Massachusetts and includes the state’s interesting facts, famous people, and special events.
  • Roadside America: Massachusetts Attractions
    http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/ma.html
    Roadside America describes itself as an online guide to offbeat attractions. This site offers reviews of “weird sites along the highway” in Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts Tourist Information
    http://www.masstourist.com/
    This online travel guide includes a sight seeing link detailing special attractions for the Boston area and the entire state. Check out the specific page for Cape Cod and Islands.
  • FedStats: MapStat: United States: Massachusetts
    http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/25000.html
    Fast access to statistics from more than 100 federal agencies on “economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more” in Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts’ state tree is the American elm, state bird is the Chickadee, state beverage is Cranberry juice, state insect is the Ladybu g, and state muffin is the corn muffin.
  • Massachusetts produces the nation’s largest cranberry crop. Other products produced are dairy and poultry products, nursery and greenhouse produce, vegetables, and fruit.
  • Massachusetts is home to 65 public and private colleges and universities. Some of the well-known ones are Harvard, MIT, Holy Cross, Tufts, Boston College, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts.
  • The first American public library was founded in Boston in 1653.
  • The African Meeting House on Joy Street in Boston was the first church built by free blacks, 1806.

Some Famous People from this State

  • Presidents from Massachusetts with links to ipl’s POTUS (Presidents of the United States) page:
  • Samuel Adams (1722 – 1803), American Revolutionary patriot and statesman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and governor of Massachusetts.
  • Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886), poet.
  • Benjamin Franklin, (1706 – 1790), printer, author, philosopher, diplomat, scientist, and inventor.
  • John Hancock (1737 – 1793), merchant, statesman, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and first governor of the state of Massachusetts.
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 – 1864), novelist.
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 – 1882), poet.
  • Paul Revere (1735 – 1818), silversmith and patriot.
  • Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862), essayist, naturalist, and philosopher.