Massachusetts
Massachusetts was named after the Massachusetts Indians that lived in the
Massachusetts Bay Region. Massachusetts means "large hill place."
The great seal of Massachusetts.
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The Massachusetts State Flag
The picture on this flag shows a Native American on a blue shield. He is holding a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. The arrow is pointing downward representing peace. The white star represents Massachusetts as one of the first thirteen states. The state motto is shown around the shield.
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I was born in Massachusetts, in the city of 'Gloucester' and grew up in a small section called Magnolia, both part of a larger part called "Cape Ann", Here are a few things Gloucester is well-known for;
"The Perfect Storm" written by Sebastian Junger about the October 1991 storm of the century, and the fate of the sword fishing vessel Andrea Gail with her crew of six, out of Gloucester, Massachusetts, which later was turned into a movie, starring Mark Wahlberg aka 'Marky Mark', a Boston born actor and actor George Clooney.
For being 'America's Oldest Seaport', where in 1606, a man named 'Samuel de Champlain' went into the harbor and named it "Le Beau Port" or ''the beautiful port', although the city itself was not established until 1623.
Early settlers were responsible for nicknaming the “Bay State” because of its proximity to several large bays. The “Old Colony State” refers to the original Plymouth colony.
Massachusetts was the first place the Pilgrims settled when seeking religious freedom from England in 1620. This paved the way for others like the Puritans, which lead to the growth of Massachusetts and the birth of the United States.
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
Columbus Day is a holiday celebrated in many countries in the Americas, commemorating the date of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Columbus Day is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October. The first recorded celebration of Columbus Day in the USA was held by the Tammany Society, also known as the Colombian Order, in New York on October 12, 1792, marking the 300th anniversary of Columbus's landing in the Bahamas.
Many Italian-Americans observe Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Columbus Day was first celebrated by Italians in San Francisco in 1869, following on the heels of 1866 Italian celebrations in New York City. The first state celebration was in Colorado in 1905, and in 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set aside Columbus Day as a holiday in the United States. Since 1971, the holiday has been commemorated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October, the same day as Thanksgiving in neighboring Canada. Banks are almost always closed on this day, as are government offices. It is not, however, recognized by most private American employers as a day off from work.
The archaeological discoveries at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland and other evidence for Vikings in the New World centuries before Columbus have promoted celebrations of Leif Erikson Day, sometimes as an alternative to Columbus Day, sometimes in addition to it. Leif Erikson and his longship crew are thought to have sailed to the coast of North America around the year 1000.
A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"All people are born free and equal and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin."
Gloucester Community Websites
Massachusetts Community Websites
More Helpful Links of Massachusetts
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
Bimonthly magazine of political, literary, and cultural debate. Publishes essays, fiction, poetry, and book reviews.
A common place for exploring and exchanging ideas about early American history and culture. A bit friendlier than a scholarly journal, a bit more scholarly than a popular magazine, Common-place speaks--and listens--to scholars, museum curators, teachers, hobbyists, and just about anyone interested in American history before 1900. Common-place is a common place for all sorts of people to read about all sorts of things relating to early American life--from architecture to literature, from politics to parlor manners. And it's a place to find insightful analysis of early American history as it is discussed not only in scholarly literature but also on the evening news; in museums, big and small; in documentary and dramatic films; and in popular culture.
both a learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century American history and culture. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and make available for study the printed record of what is now the United States of America from first European settlement through the year 1876. As a learned society, we offer a wide variety of programs for diverse audiences including: professional scholars, pre-collegiate, undergraduate and graduate level students and educators, professional artists and writers, genealogists, and the general public.
This foundation is a non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to reducing the incidence and effects of violence by promoting development of healthy children and families and to providing scholarships that encourage personal growth through community involvement.
Brings together organizations and people committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault.
A volunteer-based coalition of eldercare professionals, advocates, and ordinary citizens. They advocate for changes in laws and policies, including an end to the exclusion of same-gender couples from civil marriage. The Project also provides training and assistance to fair-minded aging service providers throughout the state, and offers a framework for lgbt seniors and their friends and family who want to speak out for themselves.
The war in Vietnam had not yet ended and the Watergate scandal had barely begun when, in 1972, students at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst founded the first chapter of MASSPIRG (Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group). Supported by then-university president Dr. Robert Wood as a way to work within the system, the organization employed a professional staff of researchers and issue experts to propose incremental reforms, like giving home owners a tax incentive for using solar power or requiring unit and item price tags on products sold in supermarkets. Thirty years later that combination of practicality and idealism has resulted in a long list of victories for the state's consumers and environment. Since its founding, MASSPIRG has been a lead player in campaigns for everything from the Bottle Bill to the new car Lemon Law, from auto insurance reform to cleaning up air pollution from the "Filthy Five," the state's oldest and dirtiest power plants.
Provides public awareness through events on the true costs of gun and domestic violence. Raises funds for organizations that fight gun and domestic violence through positive community programs.
A non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1995 by a group of businesspeople moved by the increasing number of gun deaths and injuries in America. SHV works effectively to prevent firearm violence through public awareness and sensible legislation - without banning guns. In Massachusetts, we’re making a real difference. Since 1994, we have passed the most comprehensive gun laws in the nation and have reduced gun injuries by 50%, gun homicide by 56% and gun accidents by 58%. Our gun violence prevention efforts are a model for the nation.
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THE PLATFORM OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC PARTY
PREAMBLE
We, the Massachusetts Democratic Party, affirm our belief that government exists to strengthen individuals, families and communities and that all people should be treated with dignity. As Democrats, we are united in our devotion to our country, our Commonwealth, and our democracy. Our message dates from our Constitution and is rooted in our dedication to freedom, equality, and opportunity. Our party initiated and fought for equal rights and opportunities for all people. We continue our commitment to basic human values. Now, more than ever, the Massachusetts Democratic Party is united in its determination to protect and advance our core values: individual rights and freedom; excellent public schools and colleges; quality healthcare; a robust economy; consumer protection; a living wage; decent, affordable housing; sound fiscal policies and balanced budgets; environmental safeguards; public safety; effective protection for working men and women, veterans benefits; and Social Security, and the “safety net” for our most vulnerable citizens.
As Massachusetts Democrats, we are proud of the diversity that strengthens and enlivens us. We gratefully acknowledge the struggles of previous generations of Democrats including those who came from other lands, either by choice or by force, and built a party dedicated to equalizing the balance of political power. As Democrats, we owe our political pre-eminence to the founders of our party who eliminated social position and wealth as barriers to full participation in public life. For more than 100 years, we have opened the door of opportunity for new immigrants and citizens. We are committed to reaching out to this generation of immigrants as they join us in building our communities.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform is our covenant with one another and is the foundation on which our party leaders and we generally stand. While the Platform reflects our common commitment, we are also a party of individuals with personal and private beliefs. In joining together to pursue our Democratic agenda, we recognize and respect individual points of view. As Democrat, we embrace one another and the essential tenets of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
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