Connecticut: The Constitution State

Connecticut: The Constitution State — page 1 — 4 CONNECTICUT Fruits and vegetables are among the crops grown in Connecticut Connecticut was one of the original 13 states On Jan 9 1788 it became the fifth state to enter the Union The sperm whale was chosen as Connecticut’s official state animal in 1975 During the 1800s Connecticut was ranked second only to Massachusetts in the nation’s whaling industry Whales were caught and their oil was used in lamps and other products Today the sperm whale is an endangered species INTRODUCTION Connecticut is one of six New England states located in the northeastern corner of the United States Despite being the third smallest state in the country Connecticut has much to offer The state is a perfect combination of old and new It is a place where busy seaports blend into magnificent coastal views and where bustling cities are supported by colonial architecture In the countryside autumn leaves provide a vibrant backdrop for the state’s many white-steepled churches Connecticut’s beauty is quite breathtaking Since Connecticut is believed to have the world’s first written constitution it is not surprising that its official nickname is the Constitution State In the 1700s and 1800s Connecticut Yankee peddlers traveled across the country with horse-drawn carts that were filled with various items for sale Some Connecticut Yankee peddlers reportedly sold small wood-carved nutmegs in place of real nutmegs and so Connecticut also became known as the Nutmeg State White-steepled churches dot the Connecticut countryside

Connecticut: The Constitution State — page 2 — INTRODUCTION 5 Connecticut is the southernmost state in New England It is bordered by Massachusetts to the north New York to the west Long Island Sound to the south and Rhode Island to the east Connecticut is linked by an extensive highway system Vehicles can whisk through the state in less than two hours Connecticut is also within a few hours drive of major cities such as New York and Boston Among the major highways is Interstate 95 which runs along Long Island Sound Interstate 91 heads north all the way through New England and up to Canada The eastern section of Interstate 84 is known as the Yankee Expressway Connecticut’s many airports help connect it to the rest of the world Bradley International Airport located north of Hartford is the state’s major airport The Metro-North Railroad carries thousands of passengers each day to New York City and locations across Connecticut The Merritt Parkway was built in the 1930s The highway was designed to emphasize the pleasure of driving Connecticut Location Map Connecticut has more than 19,000 miles of highway and more than 600 miles of railroad track Native Americans originally named the area of Hartford Saukiog It was renamed Hartford by the colonists in 1637 after Hertford England The curving tree-lined Merritt Parkway is considered to be one of the most scenic highways in the nation Scale Capital Hartford Interstate highways Mi 0 10 20 0 16 32 Km Population 3,405,565 Size 5,006 square miles Highest peak Mount Frissell 2,380 feet

Connecticut: The Constitution State — page 3 — 6 CONNECTICUT Connecticut’s name comes from the Algonquian word Quinnehtukqut which means land on the long tidal river The broad Connecticut River flows down the center of the state Its riverbanks were once home to many Native Americans Early colonists built Connecticut’s first towns along the river Hartford is one of the state’s original towns Ships carried goods from Hartford to locations around the world Today Hartford is the state capital Connecticut’s limited natural resources forced colonists to use their creativity to invent new products In 1790 the United States Patent Office opened and for the next 150 years Connecticut received more patents per capita than any other state Many brands of cigars clocks combs firearms and hats were made in the state Connecticut peddlers sold many of these inventions throughout the United States There are nearly 4,000 farms in Connecticut The state insect is the praying mantis It was adopted in 1977 The State Capitol was constructed out of marble and granite It cost 2 5 million to build and was completed in 1879 In 1987 Carrie Saxon Perry became mayor of Hartford She was the first African American woman to be elected mayor of a large city The American robin was adopted in 1943 as Connecticut’s official state bird Ships have been built on the Mystic River since the 1600s More than 600 vessels were constructed on its shores between 1784 and 1919

Connecticut: The Constitution State — page 4 — INTRODUCTION 7 Connecticut is the wealthiest state in the nation It has the highest per capita income and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States People are attracted to Connecticut for its excellent employment opportunities The strength of its economy is a result of the industrial and service sectors as well as its skilled and educated workforce Many of Connecticut’s past inventions are still being manufactured in the state Factories produce weapons sewing machines jet engines helicopters motors hardware cutlery clocks and submarines Growth in finance insurance and real estate has contributed to Connecticut’s wealth This quaint New England state combines its strong economy with excellent educational facilities pleasant living conditions rich history vibrant culture and beautiful scenery These are among the reasons why some people find Connecticut a desirable place to live Picturesque roads lined with giant maples wind through Litchfield Hills Connecticut is home to one of only two shipyards in the United States where submarines are built In 1983 the USS Nautilus was named the official state ship It was the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine and the first ship to reach the North Pole Built in Groton it was launched in 1954 The official state song is Yankee Doodle Though the song’s origins are unknown during the American Revolution British soldiers sang their own version that poked fun at American troops The colonists in turn created new lyrics to sing back at the British

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