Native Americans
The land that is now New Jersey has been inhabited for thousands of years. Before Europeans arrived, the Lenni Lenape Indians lived in New Jersey. They hunted, fished, and grew crops such as corn and beans for food. Another name for the Lenape is the “Delaware Indians” or “Delaware Nation”.
Information about New Jersey State:
| Capital | Trenton |
| Population | 9,289,031 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge |
| Borders | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Atlantic Ocean |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $745,422.2 million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including potatoes, peaches, and fishing Pharmaceuticals, finance, chemicals, telecommunications, and tourism |
Flag of New Jersey State:
Europeans Arrive
The first European to explore New Jersey was the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who explored the coast in 1524. However, the land was claimed by the Dutch in 1609, when explorer Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River. The country was called “New Holland” and soon Dutch and Swedes migrated to the area to trade beaver pelts with the Lenape Indians.
Colonization
Others from Europe, including the British, also migrated to the area. Soon there were more British than Dutch settlers. In 1664, an English fleet entered New York Harbor and occupied the area. The territory of New Jersey was given to Sir John Berkeley and Sir George Cartelet.
The country was divided into East and West Jerseys, with the West being populated primarily by Quakers and the East being populated by Puritans and wealthy plantation owners. The colonies he merged into one organization in 1702, and Edward Hyde became the first governor of the Colony of New Jersey.
New Jersey State Symbols
- New Jersey State Nickname: Garden State
- New Jersey State Slogan: Come See For Yourself
- New Jersey State Motto: Liberty and prosperity
- New Jersey State flower: Violet
- New Jersey State bird: Eastern Goldfinch
- New Jersey State fish: Brook trout
- New Jersey State tree: Red Oak
- New Jersey State mammal: Horse
- New Jersey State foods: Highbush Blueberry
American Revolution
In 1776, her 13 colonies in America rebelled against Great Britain and declared independence. Sandwiched between New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey was the scene of many battles during the Revolutionary War. The most famous battle took place on Christmas Day 1776 when George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and captured Trenton.
George Washington took part in other battles in New Jersey during the war, including the Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Monmouth. In 1783, Princeton became the capital of the United States for several months while the Continental Congress was in session at Princeton University.
The Geography of New Jersey State:
- Total Size of New Jersey: 7,417 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of New Jersey: Atlantic Ocean at Sea Level (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of New Jersey: High Point at 1,803 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Sussex (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of New Jersey: Located in Mercer County approx. 5 miles southeast of Trenton (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of New Jersey: 12 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of New Jersey: Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, Hudson River, Delaware River
Becoming a State
After the Revolutionary War, the American colonies formed a new nation, the United States of America. New Jersey ratified her new constitution on December 18, 1787, becoming her third state to join the Union. It was also the first state to sign the Bill of Rights in 1789. Trenton became the official capital of New Jersey in 1790.
Famous People of New Jersey State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Dave Thomas | Founder of Wendy’s fast-food restaurant |
| Meryl Streep | Actress |
| Bruce Springsteen | Rock singer and songwriter |
| Frank Sinatra | Singer and actor |
| Bill Parcells | NFL football coach |
| Queen Latifah | Actress and rapper |
| Shaquille O’Neal | Professional basketball player |
| Jack Nicholson | Actor |
| Jon Bon Jovi | Rock singer for the band Bon Jovi |
| Michael Douglas | Actor |
| David Copperfield | Magician |
| Grover Cleveland | The 22nd and 24th President of the United States |
| Judy Blume | Author of young adult books |
| Buzz Aldrin | Astronaut |
Interesting Facts of New Jersey State:
More than 100 battles have been fought on New Jersey soil.
New Jersey is the most densely populated and most crowded state of any state.
New Jersey is the state of invention. FM radios, light bulbs, movie cameras, and transistors were all invented in New Jersey.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the world’s first boardwalk. New Jersey is named after the island of Jersey, off the coast of Normandy, France.
The streets in the Monopoly game are named after the streets in Atlantic City.
The first professional basketball game was played in 1896 in Trenton between the Trenton YMCA and the Brooklyn YMCA. Each player he received $15.
President Grover Cleveland was born in New Jersey. Other New Jersey celebrities include Bruce Springsteen, Judy Bloom, Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra and more.
Other nicknames include ‘The Clam State’ and ‘The Diner Capital of the World’.
Timeline Overview:
1524 – Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano becomes the first European to visit New Jersey.
1609 – Henry Hudson arrives and claims Dutch lands.
1660 – The Dutch establish Bergen as the first European settlement in New Jersey. The Dutch colony is called “New Netherlands”.
1664 – England takes control of New Holland from Holland and renames it New Jersey.
1678 – New Jersey splits into East Jersey and West Jersey, with Quakers in the west and Puritans in the east.
1776 – George Washington crosses the Delaware River and defeats the Hessians at Trenton.
1783 – Continental Congress is held at Princeton.
1787 – New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the United States Constitution.
1790 – Trenton becomes the capital.
1804 – New Jersey becomes the last state in the North to abolish slavery.
1846 – The first professional baseball game is held in Hoboken.
1876 - Thomas Edison opens a famous laboratory in Menlo Park.
1884 – Grover Cleveland is elected the 22nd President of the United States.
1912 – New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States.
1921 – The first Miss America pageant is held in Atlantic City.
1937 – The airship Hindenburg crashes and burns at Lakehurst Naval Air Station.
1951 – New Jersey Turnpike opens.
1976 – New Jersey introduces state income tax.