Massachusetts became the 6th state in 1788 and is the 15th largest state by population with over 6.8 million residents. It is also the 45th largest state by land and water area with a total area of 10,555 square miles. Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts, is the nation's 21st largest city with a population of approximately 620,000 people.
Massachusetts was one of the original 13 states. It was originally home to Algonquian Indians with the state's name coming from an indian community called Massachusett.
Massachusetts is one of four states which consider themselves to be a Commonwealth. The other three are Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia. A State and a Commonwealth are considered to be the same and equal in regards to their status in the United States of America.
Included below are more facts and symbols, a state map, the state song and views of the Massachusetts State Quarter.
Massachusetts State Capital - Boston
Massachusetts Official Name - Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State Nickname - Massachusetts has five nicknames:
Bay State - Old Bay State - Old Colony State - Puritan State - Baked Bean State
State Motto - "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem"
(By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty)
State Flower - Mayflower (ground laurel or trailing arbutus)
State Tree - American Elm
State Bird - Black-capped Chickadee
State Game Bird - Wild Turkey
State Horse - Morgan Horse
State Fish - Cod
State Insect - Ladybug
State Reptile - Garter Snake
State Marine Mammal - Right Whale
State Dog - Boston Terrier
State Cat - Tabby Cat
State Mineral - Babingtonite
State Gemstone - Rhodonite
State Shell - New England Neptune
State Fossil - The Dinosaur Tracks in Massachusetts
State Soil - Paxton Soil Series
State Rock or Stone - Roxbury Puddingstone
State Historical Rock - Plymouth Rock
State Explorer Rock - Dighton Rock
State Building Rock and Monument Stone - Granite
State Sport - Basketball
State Folk Dance - Square Dancing
State Vessel - The Schooner Ernestina
State Colors - Blue, Green and Cranberry
State Folk Hero - Johnny Appleseed
State Heroine - Deborah Samson
State Beverage - Cranberry Juice
State Dessert - Boston Cream Pie
State Cookie - Chocolate Chip Cookie
State Muffin - Corn Muffin
State Berry - Cranberry
Official State Web Site - www.mass.gov
(Click or tap for a larger view)
"All Hail to Massachusetts"
Massachusetts
By Arlo Guthrie
Like a dream in the night
As the snow settles white
There's a fire burning bright
In Massachusetts
And there's a house upon a hill
That keeps us from the chill
And by the grace of God
We will be in Massachusetts
CHORUS
You can tell me about the times you spent
In the Rockies and on the plains,
Please don't think that I'm the last to say
That there ain't lots of other places
In this world that still remain
Beautiful and unchanged
But they're just not the same
The sun comes up to meet the dawn
And there's a day that must go on
There's another night that's gone
In Massachusetts
And I could spend all of my days
And remain each day amazed
At the way each day is phrased
In Massachusetts
CHORUS
Now if you could only see
I know you would agree
There ain't nowhere else to be
Like Massachusetts
And there's a house upon a hill
That keeps us from the chill
And by the grace of God
We will be in Massachusetts
Come on tell me about the time you spent
In the Rockies and on the plains
And please don't think that I'm the last to say
That there ain't lots of other places
In this world that still remain
Beautiful and unchanged
But they're just not the same as Massachusetts
United States Mint 50 State Quarters© Program coin:
(United States Mint Images)
US State Facts © MCGWDD