Welcome to MASSACHUSETTS

One of the six New England states, and one of the first 13 states in the Union (it entered in 1788), Massachusetts is known as the "Old Colony State." The Pilgrims established their settlement at Plymouth in 1620, arriving on the Mayflower. They were followed shortly by the Puritans, who established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritans named their colony after a local Indian tribe whose name means "a large hill place." The birthplace of many of the ideals of the American Revolution, Massachusetts attracted people who believed in self-government. It's appropriate that the state flower is the mayflower, also known as the trailing arbutus. ...Read more here: Massachusetts - The Bay State

Capital City:

Boston

Nickname:

Bay State / Old Colony State

Motto:

Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate quietem (By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty)

Statehood:

May 16, 1788 (6th)

Origin of State's Name:

Named after local Indian tribe whose name means "a large hill place."

Largest Cities:

Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, New Bedford

Border States:

Connecticut , New Hampshire , New York , Rhode Island , Vermont

Land Area:

7,838 sq. mi.; 45th largest

State Bird:

Black-capped Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus)

State Flower:

Mayflower (epigaea regens)

State Tree:

American Elm (ulmus americana)

State Song:

Hail Massachusetts