What Massachusetts is known for

Massachusetts is one of the original thirteen states of the United States of America and is a part of the six states that make up New England. The state sits on the east coast of the country towards the upper northwestern corner. The state capital is Boston, which is full of early American history, including where the Boston Tea Party occurred. This event and the "Shot Heard Around the World," which took place in Lexington, Massachusetts, were two significant events that led to the American Revolution that ended in freedom from Britain. The state initially obtained its name from John Smith; an early English colonist who named it after the Massachuset Tribe, which means "near the great hill." The state is also frequently referred to as the "Bay State."[1] The state's population has continued to grow since the Mayflower landed in Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts, in 1620. The population now sits at 6,892,503 residents.[2]

Massachusetts has many attractions to visit, including early history sites, museums, mansions, and famous institutions such as Harvard University. One of the biggest attractions to Massachusetts is the three-mile-long Freedom Trail located in Boston. The trail is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Colonial American history, connected to a total of sixteen monuments and attractions. Some of the sites include the graves of Paul Revere and John Hancock, the Boston Massacre scene, and Benjamin Franklin's birthplace. Faneuil Hall, also found along the trail, is one of the most popular attractions due to it being the meeting place of early revolutionaries.[3] When visiting attractions such as these, the best time of year to visit the state is between spring, late summer, and early fall for optimal weather. Although during the summer there are high amounts of crowds at popular attractions. Massachusetts is considered a year-round destination with things to do and see inside and outside, providing an abundance of options when making travel plans.[4]

Salem, Massachusetts, is a popular destination and is commonly known throughout America as the place of the Salem Witch Trials. The city is home to historic houses, many built by wealthy men who were often captains or merchants. Judge Jonathan Corwin was the man who presided at the witch trials, and his home is the only building still standing today that is directly connected to the trials. Another famous city in Massachusetts is the town of Plymouth, where the Mayflower carrying Protestant Separatists landed. The town now has a visitor location called Plymouth Plantation, where guests can experience the recreation of 17th-century colonial America. Also in the town is a reproduction of the Mayflower where you can learn more details about the historic voyage. People often come to visit Massachusetts for the history and the natural beauty that is found all around. One frequently visited place is the Cape Cod peninsula that has 560 miles of shoreline. The beaches are long white-sand beaches with dunes leading away from the ocean. They tend to be extremely crowded during mid-summer.[3]

Massachusetts is full of important turning points and locations in American history, but the state has also been the birthplace of many well-known people. These people include John Adams, Susan B. Anthony, George W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, and Dr. Seuss. Famous sports and dessert recipes were created in the state, including volleyball by William G. Morgan, Basketball by Jim Naismith, and the iconic chocolate chip cookie by Ruth Wakefield in the Tollhouse Inn. Massachusetts has five professional sports teams located in the state: Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and New England Revolution.[5] Innovations created here since the revolution have been instrumental in the growth of the Massachusetts economy.[1]

In the early days of Massachusetts, the economy was boosted by trade between Salem sailors and China, the West Indies, and other foreign lands. Fishing was another driving force during those days but has been dangerous throughout the centuries due to losing lives. The fishing industry continued to be prominent until the early 1960s where it began to decrease because of foreign competition. However, it came full force a decade later and now gives Massachusetts a claim to be one of the top states in the value of fish landings. The state has depended on fishing throughout the years out of necessity because of its poor agriculture. Today, the Massachusetts economy is pushed forward primarily by technological research and development and the service sector—including a high amount of tourism.[1]

Geography

Massachusetts sits on the east coast of the United States, in the upper northern reaches of the country. The state is surrounded by New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Massachusetts is comprised of rivers, plains with gentle hills, the coast, and mountains extending from the Appalachian System. The state's land looks like a hook connecting to the ocean and was created by glaciers that exposed the rocky bays.[6] When visiting Massachusetts, Cape Cod is a popular destination located in the hook, formally known as a peninsula. The Bay is surrounded by 560 miles of shoreline, with many crowded white beaches.[3]

Massachusetts is classified as having a temperate climate. The western region of the state tends to be cooler and drier but often has more severe snowfall. During the winter throughout the state, the average temperature is 26 degrees Fahrenheit, while the summer averages 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Boston has an average precipitation of about 42 inches per year, while the other regions average 44-45 inches.[1] The snow is usually predicted to come in December, but the rain is expected throughout the year. With Massachusetts weather conditions, it is advised to visit during the spring or late summer so you can enjoy all the attractions the state has to offer.[4]

Massachusetts is the roaming ground for wildlife throughout the land, including coyotes, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and moose.[6] There is a total of 76 species of mammals, with 74 being native to the land. The Cape Cod coasts are thriving with different shellfish species, including oysters, mussels, shrimps, and clams. The state's bird species include the mallard, bobwhite quail, herring gull, mockingbird, blue jay, and screech owls. A total of twenty-one species in Massachusetts are classified as endangered, such as the bald eagle, puma, American burying beetle, and five species of whale.[7] 40 square miles in the state are legal for public hunting of the species in the land in adherence to hunting seasons and laws.[1]

Throughout the years, the forests of Massachusetts have managed to be preserved despite industrialization. One hundred fifty state forests, reservations, and parks are found in Massachusetts.[1] Flora identified in the land consist of sycamores, sugar maples, eastern white pines, and American elms, the state tree. Common wildflowers in the area are wild bleeding hearts, blue violets, oxeye daisies, New England asters, and black-eyed Susans. The land contains fertile soil and harbors that provide prime conditions for producing crops and seafood. The state is known for producing 25% of the United States cranberries.[6]

History

Massachusetts was first inhabited by Native Americans such as the Wampanoag, Nauset, Nipmuc, Pocomtuc, and Massachuset tribes. The land was named after the Massachuset tribe by early English colonists who came to the new world.[8] The state of Massachusetts has a rich history, with it being one of the original thirteen colonies. One of the first settlements in Massachusetts was the Plymouth colony, settled by pilgrims in 1620. The famous Mayflower landed on November 21, 1620, bringing a small group of separatists who had initially fled from England for religious freedom. The pilgrims created and signed the Mayflower Compact on the voyage over, making it the first form of government in the new world. During that same time, John Winthrop gave a speech that continues to be prominent in American studies. The speech is titled "A City Upon a Hill," and inspired the early colonists to be a beacon of hope unto other nations.[1]

Great Britain neglected the new world for years until they began taxing the early colonist unfairly, which inspired the rebellion based on no taxation without representation which eventually led to the famous American Revolutionary War. The state was home to significant points in the revolution, such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, the colonists rebelled against the heavy taxes on the tea being kept in the Boston harbor by dumping 342 chests of tea into the ocean.[1] The colonist continued to defy the British regime and ended up in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This battle is famous for multiple reasons include Paul Revere's ride exclaiming "the British are coming!" to where the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" was fired. Historians mark this event as the official beginning of the American Revolution.[9]

Boston was known as the center for revolutionary activity with Samuel Adams, John Adams, and John Hancock, who were essential leaders to the revolution. The Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, and the Battle of Bunker Hill sparked the revolution fire throughout the New World, gaining enough momentum to eventually earn freedom from Great Britain and become an independent nation. After the victory, Massachusetts was officially made the sixth state of the United States of America on February 6, 1788. The state continued to be ahead of others, especially in the industrial revolution. The decline in agriculture put a heavier emphasis on developing large-scale manufacturing enterprises.[1]

The flourishing economy of Massachusetts paved the way for businesses to start and find success. Such enterprises include New Balance, Dunkin' Donuts, Ocean Spray, Gillette, and Liberty Mutual.[10] Massachusetts has not only been a place to establish companies but has historically been a contributor to higher education. In 1636, America's oldest learning institution was founded and called New College. Currently, it is known as Harvard University, after John Harvard donated his library and estate to the institution. The college is now classified as an Ivy League college and is largely considered one of the best places to receive an education in America.[11] The state has continued to establish places and things commonly known throughout the nation, such as the Boston Marathon. The event was inspired by the first successful marathon in the Olympics of 1896 and was established as a race in 1897, continuing to this day, claiming to be the world's oldest annual marathon.[12]

Another crucial part of Massachusetts history is known as the Salem Witch trials. During the late 1600s, in Boston, Massachusetts, the townspeople's relationships became strained due to conflict between other nations and the rivalry between families of wealth that had claims on the port of Salem. Around the same time, children began having screaming fits that resulted in body contortions. The town blamed lower-class women for practicing witchcraft that caused the body contortions. As a result, many of those accused were hung. Those responsible for the witch hunt finally saw their errors and stopped the accusing and hangings. It wasn't until 1957 that Massachusetts formally apologized for the events that took place in 1692.[13]