Massachusetts is the oldest state in the U.S., rich with history and culture. From Native Americans to the first settler Pilgrims to today’s baseball culture in Boston, there are so many fascinating things to learn about this great state.
7 Massachusetts Facts
1. Humans began living in Massachusetts 12,000 years ago. (Source)
After glaciers retreated from the area, humans migrated into the area. Some of the Massachusetts Native American tribes include the Wampanoag, Mohican, and Mohegan. The Wampanoag would not meet the Pilgrims until the 1600s.
2. The American Revolution’s first shot was fired in Massachusetts. (Source)
This was during the Battle of Lexington in 1775. This clash occurred on Lexington Green when a small group of American militiamen confronted British soldiers. It is unclear who exactly fired this shot, but it was certainly an American, and the sparks ignited the flames of the American Revolution.
3. America’s largest witch trial took place in Salem, Massachusetts. (Source)
The Salem witch trials were famously tragic. A hysteria among isolated Puritan settlers led to teenage girls accusing dozens of neighbors of witchcraft. The accusations turned into a series of trials, torture, and hangings. Today, Salem honors its somber history while celebrating modern witches with many mystic shops and elaborate Halloween festivities.
4. Massachusetts is rated as the best state for mothers to live in. (Source)
Studies show that Massachusetts has a ton to offer for mothers, from great wages, the highest amount of paid parental leave in the country, some of the best schools in the nation, and great healthcare.
5. A Massachusetts angler invented fried clams. (Source)
One day in 1916, fisherman “Chubby” Woodman was having a slow day at his roadside stall. A friend suggested he try something new and fry some clams to drum up sales. Clams were plentiful and easy to harvest, so Chubby gave them a shot and threw some clams in his deep fryer. The fried clams were more popular than fried potatoes, and today they are a Massachusetts staple.
6. Massachusetts is the birthplace of basketball. (Source)
Massachusetts has a lot of sports fans. Maybe this is because beloved sports like basketball got their start in Massachusetts. James Naismith invented basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891. He created the game to give local youth something active to do indoors during long, harsh winter months. Today, you can visit the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
7. There is a museum dedicated to bad art in Massachusetts. (Source)
You’ve heard of the MOMA, but for an utterly unique experience, you can visit the MOBA, the Museum of Bad Art in Boston. While the honor of a spot in this museum may be dubious, the museum emphasizes that it displays artists whose work may never have been seen otherwise. A visit is humorous but also a way to enjoy some niche art if you get bored with the classics and fine art in Boston’s many other museums.
Featured image photo credit: Pixabay.
