Top 15 Most Interesting Facts About Massachusetts

1. State Motto: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty).
2. State Bird: Black-Capped Chickadee.
3. State Flower: Mayflower.
4. Massachusetts is home to the first public park in the U.S., Boston Common, established in 1634.
5. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, founding one of the first European settlements in North America.
6. Harvard University, established in 1636, is the oldest college in the United States.
7. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was a key event leading to the American Revolution.
8. Fenway Park in Boston is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use, opened in 1912.
9. The first public library in the U.S. was founded in Boston in 1852.
10. Massachusetts is known for its contributions to literature, including authors like Emily Dickinson and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
11. Salem is famous for its 1692 witch trials and historic witch museums.
12. The state has a vibrant seafood culture, with clam chowder, lobster, and oysters being local specialties.
13. Cape Cod is a favorite summer destination, with its stunning beaches and lighthouses.
14. Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in the U.S. (2004).
15. The Boston Marathon, first held in 1897, is the oldest annual marathon in the world.

Geography of Massachusetts

Massachusetts features coastal plains, rolling hills, and the Berkshire Mountains. Key features include:

• Highest Point: Mount Greylock (3,489 feet).
• Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (sea level).
• Major Rivers: Charles River, Merrimack River, and Connecticut River.

A Brief History of Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a rich history as one of the original 13 colonies and a center of American independence:

• The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in 1620, founding a settlement that became a cornerstone of early America.
• Boston was a key city during the American Revolution, with events like the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Massachusetts became the 6th state of the U.S. on February 6, 1788.

Top 10 Things to Do in Massachusetts

1. Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston to explore historic sites.
2. Relax on the beaches of Cape Cod.
3. Visit the Salem Witch Museum to learn about the 1692 trials.
4. Explore Harvard University and its museums in Cambridge.
5. Tour Plymouth and see Plymouth Rock.
6. Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
7. Hike Mount Greylock in the Berkshires.
8. Visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
9. Take a whale-watching tour off the coast of Gloucester.
10. Stroll through the charming streets of Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.

Top 10 Destinations in Massachusetts

1. Boston
2. Cape Cod
3. Salem
4. Plymouth
5. Harvard University

Plan Your Visit

For more information about Massachusetts, visit the commonwealth’s official tourism site: Massachusetts Vacation