Native Americans
Before Europeans arrived in Connecticut, the land was inhabited by Native American tribes. Some of the largest tribes included the Mohegan, Pequot, and Nipmuc. These tribes spoke the Algonquian language and lived in domed houses built from bark-covered tree saplings called wigwams. They hunted deer for food. Collected nuts and berries. And I grew corn, pumpkins and beans.
Information about Connecticut State:
| Capital | Hartford |
| Population | 3,605,944 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury |
| Borders | Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Atlantic Ocean |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $321,844.6 million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including eggs, lobster, dairy products, cattle, poultry, and nursery plants Aircraft parts, helicopters, transportation equipment, military equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment. |
Flag of Connecticut State:
Europeans Arrived
The first European to visit Connecticut was the Dutch explorer Adrian Bullock in 1614. Brock and crew sailed up the Connecticut River to map the area for future Dutch settlers.
Early Settlers
A Dutch settler began moving to the area in the 1620s. They wanted to exchange beaver hides for Pecots. They built small forts and settlements, including the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut’s oldest settlement, in 1634.
In 1636, when a large group of Massachusetts Puritans led by Thomas Hooker established the Connecticut Colony in the city of Hartford, the English arrived. They came for religious freedom. In 1639 they passed a constitution called the Principal Ordinance. It is considered the first document to establish a democratic and representative government.
Connecticut State Symbols
- Connecticut State Nickname: Constitution State
- Connecticut State Slogan: Full of Surprises
- Connecticut State Motto: Qui transtulit sustinet (He who transplanted still sustains)
- Connecticut State flower: Mountain laurel
- Connecticut State bird: American Robin
- Connecticut State fish: American shad (state fish), Eastern Oyster (state shellfish)
- Connecticut State tree: White Oak
- Connecticut State mammal: Sperm whale
- Connecticut State foods: Nutmeg
Pequot War
As more and more settlers migrated to the country, tensions with the local Native Americans grew. The Pequots wanted to control the fur trade. They attacked other tribes who tried to trade furs with settlers. Some traders didn’t like the Pequots’ attempts to control the fur trade. They captured the Pequot chieftain Tatobem and demanded a ransom. However, they eventually killed the chief and war broke out between the Pequots and the settlers. In the end, the settlers won the war, and the Pequot tribe was almost wiped out.
English Colony
The 1640s and his 1650s saw an increase in English immigration to the area. The Dutch were quickly expelled. In 1662, the Colony of Connecticut received royal charter from the King of England and became a full British colony.
Revolutionary War
In the 18th century, the American colonies began to grow dissatisfied with British rule. They particularly disliked taxes like He The Stamp Act of 1765 and He Townshend Act of 1767. When war broke out in 1775, Connecticut was one of the first colonies to join the war. The Connecticut militia fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where Connecticut General Putnam famously said, “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.” Nathan Hale was also a famous Connecticut patriot. He worked as a spy for General George Washington. When Mr. Hale was captured by his enemies and sentenced to death, he said, “My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
Connecticut not only provided soldiers for the war, but also helped the Continental Army with food, supplies, and weapons. For this reason, George Washington named the state the “Provisioning State.”
The Geography of Connecticut
- Total Size of Connecticut: 4,845 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of Connecticut: Long Island Sound at Sea Level (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of Connecticut: Mt. Frissell on south slope at State line at 2,380 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Litchfield (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of Connecticut: Located in Hartford County approx. at East Berlin (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of Connecticut: 8 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of Connecticut: Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, Connecticut River, Housatonic River, Farmington River, Candlewood Lake, Bantam Lake
Becoming a State
After the war, Connecticut joined forces with other colonies to form a government. Connecticut ratified the new US Constitution on January 9, 1788, becoming the fifth state to join the United States.
A Growing State
In the 19th century, Connecticut became more industrialized. Railroads entered the area, connecting the state with New York and Massachusetts. New inventions such as vulcanized rubber and assembly lines have changed the way people work. The state became known for manufacturing all sorts of goods such as watches, guns, hats, and ships.
Civil War
Connecticut was also the center of the anti-slavery movement in the 19th century. Many abolitionists lived in the state, including John Brown, who led the Harpers Ferry Raid, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In 1848 Connecticut outlawed slavery. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Connecticut fought on the north side. The state’s manufacturing capabilities helped supply the Union armies with weapons, uniforms, and ships.
Famous People of Connecticut:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Dorothy Hamill | Gold medal figure skater |
| Nathan Hale | A spy for the Americans during the Revolutionary War |
| Charles Goodyear | Inventor of vulcanized rubber |
| Glenn Close | Actress |
| George W. Bush | The 43rd President of the United States |
| Al Capp | Cartoonist |
| John Brown | Abolitionist |
| P.T. Barnum | Showman who founded the Barnum and Bailey Circus |
| Benedict Arnold | Revolutionary War general who changed sides |
| Ethan Allen | Leader during the Revolutionary War – |
| Katharine Hepburn | Actress |
| John Mayer | Singer and songwriter |
| J.P. Morgan | Banker |
| Ralph Nader | Political activist |
| Meg Ryan | Actress |
Interesting Facts of Connecticut State:
Three vines can be seen on the state flag, representing the three original settlements.
The state is home to the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Much of the U.S. Constitution was adopted from statutes enacted in early Connecticut in documents called master orders.
The state is home to many inventions, including helicopters, sewing machines, vulcanized rubber (for tires), revolvers, and cotton gins.
Connecticut comes from the Mohegan word, which means “by the long river.” The Connecticut River is actually quite long at 410 miles.
This is often referred to as the “nutmeg state”. Although nutmeg looks like a nut, it is actually the seed of the fruit and is often used as a spice.
The first hamburger was made in 1895 at Lewis Ranch his sandwich shop in New Haven. The first telephone directory was also published in New Haven. In 1901 the first Motor Vehicle Act was passed. The speed limit was set at 12 mph. Don’t go too fast.
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) is headquartered in Stamford. Not too far away is the headquarters of the sports television network ESPN in Bristol.
The state insect is the praying mantis.
Timeline Overview:
1614 – Dutch explorer Adrian Bullock becomes the first European to visit Connecticut.
1634 – Wethersfield is established as the first Dutch settlement.
1636 – Thomas Hooker establishes the Connecticut Colony in the city of Hartford.
1636 – The Pequot War begins.
1639 – The Basic Order, the first written democratic constitution, is adopted
1662 – The Connecticut Colony receives a royal charter from the King of England. 1701 – Yale University is founded at New Haven.
1775 – Connecticut militia fights at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
1776 – Nathan Hale is hanged by the British on suspicion of spying.
1788 – Connecticut adopts the United States Constitution, becoming the fifth state.
1806 – Noah Webster publishes the first dictionary. 1843 – Charles Goodyear invents the process of vulcanizing rubber.
1848 – Slavery is outlawed.
1901 – Connecticut becomes the first state to introduce speed limits for automobiles.