The 20 Most Fun and Interesting Massachusetts Facts You Didn’t Know

As the sixth oldest state in the United States, Massachusetts has an incredibly rich history filled with fun facts! Below, we’ll look at 20 fascinating facts and tidbits of information you might not know about one of the smallest (yet one of the most densely populated) states in the US, also known as the Bay State.

1. Massachusetts was the first state to write and adopt a constitution.

The state was the sixth to join the union in 1788. Notably, this very constitution served as a model for the United States Constitution.

2. Massachusetts is the sixth smallest state in the US.

Consisting of 10,565 square miles, Massachusetts is quite small in comparison to other US states. However, it’s the fifth most densely populated state, with a population of over 7 million today.

3. Massachusetts’ capital city was established all the way back in 1630.

Boston has been the state’s capital since its founding! It’s also the largest city within the New England area, with a population of over 650,000 as of 2021.

4. Massachusetts has several state nicknames.

While it’s best known as The Bay State, other popular nicknames for it include the Pilgrim State, the Old Colony State, and even the Baked Bean State.

5. The state bird of Massachusetts is the black-capped chickadee.

It was officially adopted as the state’s bird on March 21st, 1941, by the Massachusetts General Court. The bird is easy to recognize due to its distinct black “cap” of feathers atop its head and wide white stripes along its cheeks.

6. Massachusetts has three official state colors.

Its state colors are blue, green, and cranberry, which became its official colors on February 21st, 2005.

7. The state tree of Massachusetts is the American elm.

The tree is taxonomically known as Ulmus americana. Notably, the state adopted its official tree on March 21st, 1941.

8. The smallest community in Massachusetts has less than 80 permanent residents.

The town of Gosnold had a population of just 70 people as of the 2021 census! It is located in Dukes County and was first settled back in 1641.

9. The longest river in Massachusetts is the Charles River.

Locals also refer to this river as the River Charles or simply The Charles. It’s around 80 miles long. Notably, it weaves through over 20 cities and towns before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

10. The smallest town by land area in Massachusetts is just one square mile.

The town of Nahant is located in Essex County. As of the 2020 census, its total population was 3,334 people. By population, it’s also the smallest municipality within Essex County.

11. The cranberry is one of Massachusetts’ staple crops.

In fact, around 25% of all of the cranberries grown in the United States come from more than 400 Massachusetts farmers!

12. Massachusetts has been inhabited for over 3,000 years.

European explorers arrived in the area as early as the 11th century. It wasn’t until 1620 that the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock–but not before making a brief stop in Provincetown.

13. The state’s official motto is Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem.

Translating, its original Latin means, “By the sword, we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.” It was written back in 1659 by Algernon Sydney, an English politician, colonel, and political theorist. Interestingly, he was executed for treason in 1683.

14. The most well-known state song of Massachusetts is “All Hail to Massachusetts.”

Incredibly, the state now actually has seven state songs. But “All Hail Massachusetts” was designated the main official state song on September 3rd, 1966. The song’s writer was a Wellesley music teacher, Arthur James Marsh. He originally wrote the song in 1954. 

In 1981, the state’s government amended this to add the song “Massachusetts!” by Arlo Guthrie as the state’s official folk song.

15. The state fish of Massachusetts is the Atlantic cod.

The fish was once a long-important part of the state’s fishing industry and economy. In more recent years, however, cod fishing has been in decline due to overfishing. Thanks to its abundance in the state’s early years, though, it was the first major economic export in America. Many European countries once bought Atlantic cod directly from Massachusetts fishers, such as Spain, Italy, and France.

16. The first American public library was opened in Massachusetts.

Back in 1790, the Franklin Public Library opened in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. Its opening and existence, in general, can mainly be attributed to a large donation of books by none other than Benjamin Franklin. The town itself was also named after Benjamin Franklin in 1778 (its original name was Exeter). The library is still open today and has been operating for over 230 years.

17. Massachusetts’ highest point of elevation is Mount Greylock.

Mount Greylock stands at an elevation of 3,489 feet. It makes up part of the Taconic Mountains. If we compare it to other highest points of elevation within the United States, it ranks 31st. 

Interestingly, the peak gets its name from a Western Abenaki warrior chieftain, Gray Lock, who lived from around 1670 to 1750. Gray Lock led the Missisquoi Abenaki band of natives.

18. Massachusetts’ state insect is the ladybug.

Many different species of ladybugs live in Massachusetts, both native and non-native. More specifically, the state’s official insect is the seven-spotted ladybug, which actually isn’t native to the area. It officially became the state’s insect in 1989.

19. The cranberry is also Massachusetts’ official state berry.

In addition to being one of the state’s most important and lucrative crops, the cranberry became Massachusetts’ official berry on July 11th, 1994. This was largely thanks to the insistent lobbying of a fifth-grade classroom on the North Shore. 

20. The First National Women’s Rights Convention was held in Massachusetts.

The group first came together and met in 1850 in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was an annual series of meetings of both male and female leadership. They held speeches about expanded rights to education, jobs, and equal wages and discussed women’s rights to own property and marriage reform.

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