Massachusetts State Government
Massachusetts comes directly from the Algonquian word Massachusett that references the people living in the area, and means at the large hill.
Capital: Boston
Largest Cities: Amherst, Brockton, Cambridge, Gloucester, Fall River, Great Barrington, Lexington, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, North Adams, Northampton, Plymouth, Provincetown, Quincy, Salem, Springfield, Worcester
Present Constitution Drafted: 1780 (Oldest U.S. state constitution in effect today)
Entered Union: February 6, 1788 (6)
Motto: “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty”
State Flower: Mayflower
State Tree: American Elm
State Bird: Black-capped Chickadee
