What is mass known 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.

Why is Massachusetts so historical?

One of the original 13 colonies and one of the six New England states, Massachusetts (officially called a commonwealth) is known for being the landing place of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. English explorer and colonist John Smith named the state for the Massachuset tribe.

What was Massachusetts originally called?

Originally called Tremontaine for the three hills in the area, the Puritans later changed the settlement’s name to Boston, after the town in Lincolnshire, England, from which many Puritans originated.

What are 3 interesting facts about Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Fun Facts

• Massachusetts 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.

Why is mass called a commonwealth?

Legally, Massachusetts is a commonwealth because the term is contained in the Constitution. In the era leading to 1780, a popular term for a whole body of people constituting a nation or state (also known as the body politic) was the word “Commonwealth.” This term was the preferred usage of some political writers.

How Massachusetts got its name?

Massachusetts, constituent state of the United States of America. English explorer and colonist John Smith named the state for the Massachuset tribe, whose name meant “near the great hill”—believed to refer to Blue Hill, which rises south of Boston in an otherwise flat area.

What is a nickname for Massachusetts?

The Bay State
The Codfish StateThe Old Colony State
Massachusetts/Nicknames

Why is Massachusetts called Baystate?

Massachusetts is most commonly known as “The Bay State” or “The Old Bay State” in reference to the Cape Cod Bay where early settlements were made and to the Massachusetts Bay Company given a royal charter in 1629 to promote settlement of the new land “from sea to shining sea.” The charter of the Massachusetts Bay …