55 Interesting Facts about Connecticut

Connecticut is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the north, Rhode Island to the east, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. It was one of the original 13 colonies, and played an important role in the American Revolution. Many key events of the revolution, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, took place in or near Connecticut. Connecticut is often referred to as the “Constitution State,” as it is believed to have played a role in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The state’s motto is “Qui Transtulit Sustinet,” which means “He who transplanted still sustains,” referring to the early settlers who came to Connecticut and established communities there.

The state is known for its historic landmarks and architecture, including the Mark Twain House and the Gillette Castle State Park. The Yale University campus, located in New Haven, is also known for its stunning Gothic architecture. Connecticut has a strong economy, with industries including finance, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing. The state is home to many Fortune 500 companies, including Aetna, United Technologies, and Xerox.

Yale University, Connecticut

Do you want to know more about Connecticut? Here are 55 interesting facts about Connecticut to give you more knowledge about this state.

1. Connecticut is the third smallest state in the United States.
2. Connecticut is home to the first hamburger (1895) and the first submarine sandwich (1929).
3. The city of New Haven, Connecticut is home to the first public tree planting program in America.
4. The first telephone book was issued in New Haven, Connecticut in 1878.
5. The Connecticut River, which flows through four New England states including Connecticut, is the longest river in New England.
6. Connecticut has more than 80 museums, including the Mark Twain House and Museum, the Mystic Seaport Museum, and the Peabody Museum of Natural History.
7. The oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce, is located in Connecticut.
8. The first-ever lollipop-making machine was invented in New Haven, Connecticut in 1908 by George Smith.
9. The first American cookbook, titled “American Cookery,” was published in Hartford, Connecticut in 1796.
10. The Connecticut state insect is the praying mantis.
11. The oldest newspaper in the United States, the Hartford Courant, was first published in Hartford, Connecticut in 1764.
12. Connecticut is home to the world’s largest indoor ropes course, the IT Adventure Ropes Course.
13. The first FM radio station in the world, WDRC-FM, began broadcasting from Hartford, Connecticut in 1939.
14. The famous children’s book “Goodnight Moon” was written by Margaret Wise Brown, who was born in West Haven, Connecticut.
15. Connecticut is home to the largest maritime museum in the United States, the Mystic Seaport Museum.
16. The Connecticut state bird is the American robin.
17. The first Frisbee was made by the Frisbie Pie Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
18. The Connecticut state flower is the mountain laurel.
19. Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It was founded in 1701 and is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
20. Connecticut was the first state to pass a comprehensive bottle bill, which requires a deposit on bottles and cans.
21. The famous composer Charles Ives was born in Danbury, Connecticut.
22. The Connecticut state tree is the white oak.
23. Connecticut has more than 3,000 miles of hiking trails.
24. The state of Connecticut is named after the Connecticut River.
25. The first public art museum in the United States, the Wadsworth Atheneum, is located in Hartford, Connecticut.
26. The Connecticut state animal is the sperm whale.
27. Connecticut is the birthplace of the first helicopter, invented by Igor Sikorsky in 1939.
28. Connecticut has the highest per-capita income of any state in the United States.
29. The first Polaroid camera was invented by Edwin Land in New Haven, Connecticut.
30. Connecticut is home to the oldest public library in the United States, the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury.
31. The Connecticut state song is “Yankee Doodle.”
32. Connecticut has more than 40 state parks, including Hammonasset Beach State Park and Sleeping Giant State Park.
33. The Connecticut state hero is Nathan Hale, a soldier in the American Revolution.
34. The first automobile law in the United States was passed in Connecticut in 1901.
35. Connecticut has more than 30 colleges and universities, including Wesleyan University, Trinity College, and the University of Connecticut.
36. The famous poet Wallace Stevens was born in Reading, Connecticut.
37. Connecticut is home to the oldest continuously operating seed company in the United States, Comstock, Ferre & Co. in Wethersfield.
38. The Connecticut state fish is the American shad.
39. The first artificial heart valve was invented by Charles Hufnagel, a Connecticut-based engineer, in the 1950s. His invention is still used today in millions of heart valve replacement surgeries around the world.
40. The first-ever telephone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut in 1878.
41. Connecticut is home to the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States: the Wadsworth Atheneum, which was founded in 1842.
42. The first-ever speed limit law in the United States was enacted in Connecticut in 1901. The law set a speed limit of 12 miles per hour in cities and 15 miles per hour in rural areas.
43. Connecticut is known as the “Nutmeg State.” This nickname comes from the fact that some early Connecticut residents were known to sell wooden nutmegs as a scam.
44. The first hamburger was served in New Haven, Connecticut in 1900 at a restaurant called Louis’ Lunch. The restaurant is still in operation today and serves hamburgers made with the same recipe.
45. The first-ever American dictionary, known as Webster’s Dictionary, was published in Connecticut in 1828 by Noah Webster.
46. Connecticut has the highest percentage of people with a college degree of any state in the United States.
47. The first-ever color television was invented by Connecticut-based company RCA in 1954.
48. Connecticut is home to the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, which manages over $160 billion in assets.
49. The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was built in Groton, Connecticut and launched in 1954.
50. The first-ever helicopter was flown in Stratford, Connecticut by Igor Sikorsky in 1939.
51. Connecticut is home to the oldest public library in the United States, the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury, which was founded in 1803.
52. The first-ever recorded game of baseball was played in Connecticut in 1846.
53. The first-ever artificial heart was implanted in a patient in New Haven, Connecticut in 1982.
54. The first-ever Subway restaurant opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1965.
55. The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford features a unique gold-domed roof that was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Connecticut is a state with a rich history and many interesting facts. From being the birthplace of submarine technology, to the first recorded game of baseball, to the first artificial heart valve, Connecticut has made many significant contributions to society. The state is also known for its beautiful scenery, including the rolling hills of Litchfield County, the charming coastal towns of Mystic and Stonington, and the picturesque countryside of the Connecticut River Valley. With its thriving arts and cultural scene, world-class universities, and numerous historical landmarks, Connecticut is a great place to visit, live, work, and learn.