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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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