The Bay State or the Old Bay State is the nickname most commonly attached
to Massachusetts. She is also occasionally referred to as the Old
Colony State, the Puritan State, and the Baked Bean State.
The State Seal, adopted by Governor John Hancock and the Council
on December 13, 1780 and made official by the General Court on June
4, 1885. The seal is circular and bears a representation of the
arms of the Commonwealth encircled with the words, "Sigillum
Reipublicae Massachusettensis" (Seal of the Republic of Massachusetts).
The final form of the seal was determined by a statewide contest.
The arms, according to legislative enactment, consist of "a
shield having a blue field or surface with an Indian thereon, dressed
in a shirt and moccasins, holding in his right hand a bow, and in
his left hand an arrow, point downward, all of gold; and, in the
upper corner of the field, above his right arm, a silver star with
five points. The crest is a wreath of blue and gold, on which in
gold is a right arm, bent at the elbow, clothed and ruffled, with
the hand grasping a broadsword". The shield's shape is called
"Plantagenet"; the Native American model used was of the
Algonquin nation; the arrow points downward to indicate that the
Indian is peaceful; and the star indicates that Massachusetts was
one of the original thirteen states; it was sixth. The sword illustrates
the Latin motto that is written in gold on a blue ribbon around
the bottom of the shield: "Ense petit placidam sub libertate
quietem". This is the second of two lines written about 1659
by Algernon Sydney, English soldier and politician, in the Book
of Mottoes in the King's Library in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was
adopted in 1775 by the Provincial Congress and means, "By the
sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty".
The State Flag is white, bearing on both sides a representation
of the coat of arms (except that the five-pointed star is white
instead of silver). It was adopted in its final form in 1971; before
that, the obverse side depicted a pine tree.
In December 18, 1990, the Legislature decided that the people of
the Commonwealth would be designated as Bay Staters.
Deborah Samson (note: while "Sampson" is the generally
used spelling, "Samson" has also been said to be correct
and is the spelling used in the statute) fought in the War of Independence
under the name of Robert Shurtleff (also spelled "Shurtliff"
and "Shurtlieff") with courage, determination, and outstanding
service, and rendered a unique contribution as a woman to American
independence. Her masquerade remained undiscovered until she was
wounded in battle. In later years, she travelled extensively, lecturing
about her experiences, and a grateful nation gave her the first
military pension ever awarded to a woman. The Governor annually
issues a proclamation setting apart May 23 as an anniversary day
to appropriately observe her enlistment in the Continental Army.
The Legislature recognized her heroism on July 22, 1983.
Johnny Appleseed was designated the official folk hero of the Commonwealth
on August 2, 1996. Appleseed was born John Chapman and lived from
1775(?)-1845. An American pioneer and hero of folklore, his planting
of apple trees from New England to the Ohio River valley earned
him his more popular name.
The Boston Terrier (Canis familiaris bostenensis), first purebred
dog developed in America (1869); a cross between an English bulldog
and an English terrier. It was recognized by the Legislature in
1979.
The Tabby Cat (Felis familiaris) was made the official state cat
in 1988, in response to the wishes of the schoolchildren of Massachusetts.
The Morgan Horse (Equus cabullus morganensis), descended from a
little bay stallion born in West Springfield, MA, in 1789, who could
outrun and outwork any horse brought against him. Named "Figure"
by his owner, schoolteacher and singing master Justin Morgan, in
later years he was known by his master's own name, "Justin
Morgan". The gallant little horse died in Vermont in 1821 at
the age of 32; the sturdy breed bearing his name was adopted as
the state horse in 1970.
The Right Whale (Eubabalena Glacialis) was so called because the
flourishing whaling industry in Massachusetts found the cetacean
the "right" whale to hunt, especially before 1750. Unfortunately,
the large, slow-moving mammal, which is found nearer shore than
many other whales, was hunted nearly to extinction and is only now
rebuilding its population. The Legislature adopted the whale in
March 1980.
The Black-Capped Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus) was adopted
as the official State Bird by the Massachusetts Legislature on March
21, 1941. It is also known as the titmouse, tomtit, and the dickybird,
and it is one of the most familiar of the North American birds.
It is from four to five inches in size, its tail accounting for
nearly half its length. The general coloring is ashy-grey, the back
having a brownish tinge; the crown, nape, chin, and throat are black,
and the cheeks white. It nests in a stump, tree, or fence post close
to the ground, and broods twice a year. It is a cheerful bird and
has a pleasing call: "Chick-adee-dee-dee".
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which was eaten at the first
Thanksgiving, was designated the state game bird on December 23,
1991.
The Cod (Gadus morrhua). A soft-finned fish, usually 10-20 lbs.
General coloring is olive grey with lateral lines paler than rest
of body tint. Indians and Pilgrims used them as common food and
fertilizer. A sculpture of a cod hangs in the House of Representatives
as a tribute to this useful aquatic creature. For over 200 years,
the emblem of the cod has remained a symbol of the Commonwealth's
economic beginnings, as the fishing industry provided the Puritans
with food, fertilizer, and revenue for trade.
The Ladybug; also lady beetle, ladybird, ladyfly, etc. Most common
in the state is the Two-Spotted Lady Beetle (Adalia bipunctata).
Its head is black with pale yellowish margins; elytra reddish, with
two black spots. Idea originated in 1974 with a second-grade class
in the Town of Franklin.
The Dinosaur Tracks in Massachusetts, which were made over 200 million
years ago. In Granby, the prints of a theropod dinosaur fifty feet
in length from head to tail (the first record of a theropod of such
magnitude), were found. They were made the official fossil in 1980.
The Mayflower (Epigaea regens), also commonly known as the ground
laurel or trailing arbutus, has ovate hairy leaves and fragrant,
pink or white, spring-blooming flowers with five petals. It grows
in woods, preferring sandy or rocky soil, under or near evergreens.
It was adopted as the official flower of the Commonwealth by the
General Court on May 1, 1918. Unfortunately, since 1925 it has been
on the endangered list.
The American Elm (Ulmus Americana) was adopted as the official tree
March 21, 1941, to commemorate the fact that General George Washington
took command of the Continental Army beneath one on Cambridge Common
in 1775. It is a large tree, with gray flaky bark. When growing
in the forest it often attains a height of 120 feet, but in the
open it is wide-spreading and of lesser height. The leaves are oval,
and dark green, turning to a clear yellow in the autumn. The American
Elm, like most elms, has been severely afflicted by Elm Disease.
Cranberry Juice was named the beverage of the Commonwealth on May
4, 1970. This was a tribute to the great Massachusetts cranberry
industry, which grows the largest crop in the world.
A fifth-grade class on the North Shore adopted the cause of making
the Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) the official berry of the
state. Their two years of lobbying, petitions, and hearings were
finally rewarded in July of 1994.
Cultivated plants and the colloquial names for them change over
the centuries, but in 1993 the legislature finally determined that
the Navy Bean had been the original bean in the famous and venerable
Boston Baked Bean recipe.
The schoolchildren of Massachusetts petitioned for the Corn Muffin,
a staple of New England cooking, and the Legislature made it official
in 1986.
The Boston Cream Pie, created in the 19th century, was chosen as
the official state dessert on December 12, 1996. A civics class
from Norton High School sponsored the bill. The pie beat out other
candidates, including the toll house cookie and Indian pudding.
The Chocolate Chip Cookie was designated the official cookie of
the Commonwealth on July 9, 1997. A third grade class from Somerset
proposed the bill to honor the cookie invented in 1930 at the Toll
House Restaurant in Whitman.
The New England Neptune (Neptuna lyrata decemcostata) was made the
state shell in 1987.
Rhodonite is the most beautiful gem material found in the state.
It varies in hue from a light pink to a deep rose or reddish pink
and is associated with black manganese. It was adopted in 1979.
The finest quality Babingtonite in America has come from this state.
Although the Commonwealth is not overly blessed with mineral resources,
it is one of the few locations in the world where this usually jet
black material with a brilliant submetallic luster is found. The
Legislature adopted it in April of 1971.
The Roxbury Puddingstone, sometimes called Roxbury Conglomerate,
became the state rock in 1983.
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