National Massachusetts Day – Fun Facts About Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the most popular family vacation destinations, especially during the summer months. Families of all sizes arrive on the beaches of Cape Cod to relax and unwind. Or they head into the city of Boston to explore the Freedom Trail. The outdoorsy area of the Berkshires is also a must-visit for many, thanks to the nearby galleries and art scene. There is no limit to what you can do in this state, especially if you are celebrating National Massachusetts Day. Instead of talking about all that though, let me share a few fun facts about Massachusetts.

National Massachusetts Day – Fun Facts About Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts has numerous nicknames. They include Pilgrim State, Old Bay State, and Old Colony State.
2. The official berry of Massachusetts is the cranberry. And this state has the second largest crop of cranberries in the country!
3. Basketball was invented by James Naismith in Massachusetts back in 1891.
4. Volleyball was also invented in the state. William Morgan invented this sport in 1895.
5. The very first Dunkin Donuts was opened in 1950 in Quincy, MA.
6. The very first lighthouse in the US was constructed on Little Brewster Island in 1716.
7. Licenses were not required to drive in Massachusetts until 1903.
8. The very first Thanksgiving was held in Plymouth in 1621.
9. Boston Common was the very first public park in the US. It opened in 1634.
10. The very first post office in the US opened in Boston in 1639.
11. Alexander Graham Bell made the very first phone call in Boston on March 10, 1876. He called his lab assistant.
12. The divorce rate in Massachusetts is one of the lowest in the entire country.
13. Ruth Graves Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie at the Toll House Restaurant in Whitman in 1930.
14. Fig Newton cookies are named after Newton, MA.
15. One of the lakes in Massachusetts is called “Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg”. Most people call it Webster Lake now. Wonder why???
16. It is illegal to scare a pigeon in Massachusetts.
17. Stopping for a red light in Massachusetts is not required by law unless it is flashing.
18. There is a home in Massachusetts made from newspapers. The Paper House was constructed by Elis F. Stenman in 1922. It is in Rockport. Add this to your must-see list for your next family vacation.
19. 19 witches were hung after the witch trials in Salem in the 17th century.
20. Johnny Appleseed was born as John Chapman in Leominster, MA.
21. The Great Molasses Flood occurred in 1919 when a tank filled with molasses exploded at the Purity Distillation Company.
22. It is technically illegal to use tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts.
23. Back in 1659, it was deemed to be illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts. This law was reversed 20 years later.
24. Boston Cream Pie is the official dessert of Massachusetts.
25. Dr. Suess was born in Massachusetts.

These are only some of the fun facts you may not have known about Massachusetts. There are many others, and you can learn many of them on National Massachusetts Day. Of course, you can learn even more when you take a family vacation in Massachusetts!

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation in Massachusetts?

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