Good Tuesday morning dear friend... And welcome back to our series on "Weird but true facts about the states". Today we are going to look at some very weird but true facts about the state of
1). Massachusetts has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the country, including a ban on happy hour.
2). Massachusetts is home to the Museum of bad art... The Museum of Bad Art in Boston is based on the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The collection began in 1994 when the founder found a painting in a trash heap.
3). Dr. William Thomas Green Morton of Charlton was the first to use ether as an anesthetic in 1846.
4). Esther Howland of Worcester was the first person to mass-produce valentines in the United States.
5). Albert A. Michelson of Worcester was the first American to win a Nobel Prize.
6). The official state dessert of Massachusetts is Boston cream pie.
7). The state bird of Massachusetts is the black-capped chickadee, and the state flower is the mayflower. 
8). The state was named after the Massachusetts tribe by English explorer and colonist John Smith. The tribe's name means "near the great hill," which is thought to refer to Blue Hill, which is south of Boston. Source comes from https://www.google.com/search?client=opera-gx&q=weird+but+true+facts+about+the+state+of+massachusett...).
9). The very first telephone was in Boston, Mass…
10). Abigail’s Tea Room is a charming restaurant and tea spot located on the very spot where the Boston Tea Party occurred.
11). The very first subway system was built in Boston in 1897...
12). Fig Newtons were first made in Cambridge, Mass in 1891. They were almost called "Fig Shrewsbury," but Newton won. The first chocolate chip cookie was created in Whitman, Mass in the mid-1930s by Ruth Graves Wakefield.
13). The first zip code ever is in Massachusetts. Shout out to 01001!
14). It’s technically illegal to use tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts.
15). In Webster, you’ll find Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Nope, that’s not a typo. What’s now known to most as Lake Webster was originally Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg before being shortened to Lake Chaubunagungamaug. It derives from the Loup dialect, which is an Algonquian language. Not only is it the most unusual, or unique lake in Massachusetts, but it's the longest place name in the country. (Source comes from https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/massachusetts/11-interesting-weird-facts-ma).
Have a blessed day, friend... Take care and GOD bless...
Good Wednesday morning friend, today we are going to learn what is so weird but true about the great state of
1). Did you know that the alarm clock was invented in Concord, New Hampshire? Levi Hutchins was an American watchmaker from Concord, NH. His alarm clock, created in 1787, was a 29 x 14" timepiece with a cabinet made of pine, and had the internal mechanism of a brass clock. An interesting fact is that his alarm only ringed once per day at 4 AM, and that was when he would begin his day.
2). The world record for the highest ground wind speed of 372 km per hour (231 miles per hour) was recorded on Mt. Washington on April 12, 1934. Measured by observers Salvatore Pagliuca, Wendell Stephenson and Alex McKenzie, the highest wind speed recorded at 231 mph (372 km/h) as a peak gust (at 1:21 P.M.)with a 5-minute wind speed of 188 mph (303 km/h) between 12:25 and 12:30 P.M. on April 12, 1934. This record held until 1996 when a higher wind speed was recorded in Australia during a typhoon.
3). In 1775, New Hampshire became the first state to declare its independence from England.
4). The first American in space, Alan Shepard, was born in Derry, New Hampshire. His historic flight was made in 1961.
5). New Hampshire was named for Hampshire, England, by Captain John Mason.
6). New Hampshire has 4 nicknames. The first is the one by which the state is commonly known.
- Granite State: for our extensive granite formations and quarries
- Mother of Rivers: for the rivers of New England that originate in our Mountains
- White Mountain State: for the White Mountain Range
- Switzerland of America: for our beautiful mountain scenery
7). New Hampshire became the 9th state on June 21, 1788. It was one of the original 13 colonies.
8). Motto: Live Free or Die. The motto comes from a statement written by the Revolutionary General John Stark, hero of the Battle of Bennington.
9). The state bird is the beautiful Purple Finch.
10). The state tree is the beautiful decorative White Birch...
11). The state flower is the purple Lilac 
Have a blessed day... Take care and GOD bless...
Good Thursday afternoon, today we are going to get a look at what is so weird but true for the Green Mountain State... (Enjoy the read and facts)
1). The capital of Vermont is Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the U.S., and the only capital without a McDonald's restaurant.
2). The Vermont Statehouse's dome is covered in real gold leaf and in its floors, visitors can discover real fossils from Vermont's own fossil reef, Chazy Reef at Isle LaMotte.
3). In 1968, Vermont was the first of four states to ban billboards, alongside Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska.
4). All the state is covered under one area code, 802.
5). The Green Mountain State is bordered by Canada, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It is 157.4 miles in length, 90.3 miles wide at the Canadian border*, and 41.6 miles along the Massachusetts border. The Connecticut River forms the eastern boundary, while the western boundary with New York runs down the middle of Lake Champlain for more than half of its length.
6). Vermont’s largest city is Burlington, with a population of about 45,000.
7). Vermont was the first to abolish slavery for those older than 21 in its constitution, and in 2022, Vermont voters officially amended the constitution to prohibit all forms of slavery.
8). Vermont is the lead producer of maple syrup in the U.S., producing 3.1 million gallons in 2024.
9). Vermont is home to the world’s largest “deep hole” dimension granite quarry and North America’s first marble quarry.
10). Vermont is home to the nation’s first ski tow, built in Woodstock in 1934.
11). Lake Champlain covers 435 square miles, offering 212 miles of shoreline in Vermont (Source comes from https://vermontvacation.com/vermont-facts/#:~:text=The%20capital%20of%20Vermont%20is,Chazy%20Reef%20....)
Have a blessed day... Take care and GOD bless...
@MariaPandora good evening, the purple finch is also found here in central N.Y. where I live... Most of the birds that are found here in N.Y. or the East Coast can be found as far north as Main, except for a very few... My favorite bird is
Male Pleated Woodpecker... 
Have a great evening... Take care and GOD bless...
Moderator's edit: Removed external link.
Good Friday morning friend, today we are going to know what is so weird but true about the great state of
1). Here is a list of inventions that originated in the state of Connecticut. PEZ candy and dispensers. The hamburger. Can openers. Scrapbooks. The Frisbee. Polaroid cameras. Lollipops. Vulcanized rubber. American English dictionary (Websters).
2). Connecticut has a pretty incredible state insect: the praying mantis. These agile, head-turning masters of disguise in the insect world are definitely interesting. But, oddly enough, they are not even native insects. Instead, the praying mantis is primarily an exotic species from Europe and Africa.
3). Between 1701 and 1874, Connecticut had two state capitals: New Haven and Hartford, CT. Even though the state’s general assembly always treated Hartford as their meeting place, the two cities had different roles in the assembly.
4). If you love a good pickle, you can appreciate the fact that the state of Connecticut is pretty serious about its pickles. To be considered a true pickle, that pickle must bounce when you drop it on a hard surface.
5). Though not the largest state in the country, Connecticut is one of the most densely populated. According to some of the latest Census data, CT has just over 730 people living in each square mile of the state. This makes it the fourth most densely populated state.
6). Even though Connecticut is one of the original 13 states, this area has only been the birthplace of one US president. George W. Bush was born in Connecticut before later moving to Texas and becoming the President of the United States.
7). Connecticut is known as the Nutmeg State, a nickname that comes from the practice of residents selling fake nutmegs to southern traders.
8). The name "Connecticut" comes from the Native American word quinatucquet, which means "beside the long tidal river".
9). The rivalry between New Haven and Hartford lasted for centuries. Connecticut had two state capitals, one in each city, until 1875. The legislature would move between the two cities.
10). Connecticut is known as "The Constitution State" because it's home to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which was adopted in 1639. Many consider this document to be the first written constitution of a democratic government. (Source comes from https://www.google.com/search?client=opera-gx&q=weird+and+true+facts+about+the+state+of+connitcut&so...).
11). Connecticut was home to many firsts, including the first municipal public library in America, the first medical diploma, and the first law school in America.
Have a blessed Friday, and a wonderful weekend...
Take care and GOD bless...
Good Monday morning dear friend... Today we are going to find out what is weird but true with the 13th state in the country... Do you know what the thirteenth state is? Well, it is one of the original 13 colonies and it is one of the 6 New England States, it became a state on May 29th, 1790...
1). While it's most commonly just called "Rhode Island," the state's name is much longer. For years, its official name was actually "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. "With 42 letters, it was the longest official state name until recently, when Rhode Island underwent a name change. Now it's officially known as the "State of Rhode Island," which aligns with the character lengths of other states.
2). Central Falls is the smallest of the small, spanning a little over one square mile. The locals claim it's the tiniest town in the nation. This city holds a population of over 22,500. But, being so tiny, it averages almost 19,000 people per square mile.
3). Nicknames are fun, and this state is no exception. Rhode Island's state nickname is the "Ocean State " The moniker makes a lot of sense when you consider that there are 400 miles of coastline along Rhode Island. That makes it the longest coastline in the country, with the largest ratio of coastline to land area.
Rhode Island's motto is just one English word: Hope. No one knows where the inspiration for the saying came from. The most accepted theory is that it's a shortened version of the biblical phrase "Hope we have as an anchor of the soul."
6). If you visit Rhode Island, you must try the official state drink. Coffee milk has been a popular beverage since it was invented in the late 1800s by the state's Italian immigrants. It's often compared to chocolate milk because the preparation is similar. It's not simply milk poured into coffee or vice versa. Concentrated coffee syrup is mixed into the milk. Since you don't use actual coffee, the result is a sweeter and more evenly blended beverage.
7). In the heart of historic Newport, Rhode Island, you'll find the picturesque Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Founded in 1747, it's one of the oldest libraries in the United States. The Darby Free Library in Pennsylvania is the oldest in the country, but the Redwood Library is the oldest lending library. It's also the oldest continuously running book repository in the country.
8). Newport, Rhode Island, has a longstanding history of sailing. Since the 1700s, it's been a top location for leisure and commercial activities related to all things nautical. You can see evidence of Newport's claim to be the "sailing capital of the world" all over the city. However, perhaps the best example is the America's Cup. It's a prestigious and historic sailing competition that's been hosted in Newport several times.
9). Another fun fact about Rhode Island is it's a very "Italian" state. Roughly 80% of the state's population is of Italian descent. Many Rhode Island residents can trace their family tree to the late 1800s and early 1900s when many Italians immigrated to the state. Rhode Island's neighbor, New York, has the largest overall Italian population at three million.
10). The Baptist Christian religion can be traced back to Holland in the early 1600s. English speakers in the country followed Martin Luther's example and decided to interpret religious texts their way. When Europeans began traveling to the new world, they brought their culture and religious beliefs. The first Dutch and English settlers in America brought the Baptist religion and built the country's first Baptist church in modern-day Providence.
11). The Rhode Island state flag might have a simple design, but it's also memorable and has remained unchanged for years. Since it was adopted in 1897, no alterations have been made to the flag, which shows the state's seal. The flag has a white background with a gold anchor representing the flourishing sailing and fishing industries. The anchor is surrounded by 13 stars to represent the 13 colonies. The state's "hope" motto is written underneath the anchor. (Source comes from 50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Rhode Island State).
12). Providence Rhode Island is also home to "The Nicest Judge In The World" (Caught In Providence T.V. Show that aired for 6 seasons). Growing up on Federal Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, Judge Frank Caprio came from humble beginnings. He grew up as the second of three boys with a stay-at-home mother Filomena and father Antonio, who worked as a fruit peddler and milkman. In their cold-water flat, family love sparked his ambitions. Long before he became Judge Caprio, young Frank shined shoes, delivered newspapers, and worked on a milk truck, following his parents’ example of working hard to better the lives of those around him. This upbringing ingrained in him an extraordinary ability to view the world from the perspective of others. Frank has put that ability to good use, dedicating his life to service. He has served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge since 1985. His court is known worldwide due to the top-rated, nationally syndicated television show “Caught in Providence,” which was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award in 2021. Judge Caprio also served ten years as chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, which is the governing body for the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and Community College of Rhode Island. At Suffolk University School of Law, he founded the Antonio “Tup” Caprio Scholarship Fund. This scholarship, named for the Judge’s father, is awarded to Rhode Island students who are committed to improving access to legal services in underserved neighborhoods. He has also established scholarships named in honor of his dad at Providence College; and at Providence’s Central High School. Judge Caprio was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by his alma mater Suffolk University School of Law in 1991 and Providence College in 2008 in addition to an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Rhode Island in 2016. In 2003 he was the first recipient of the Enrico Caruso Award from the Providence Opera for his major contributions to the arts. Judge Caprio’s contributions to his home state earned him induction into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Most recently, he adorned a graduation gown when he was the commencement speaker for Boston University School of Law's Class of 2020. You can watch all of his videos on YouTube... (Source comes from MYLIFE | Judge Frank Caprio).
Have a blessed day... Take care and GOD bless...
Good Tuesday afternoon friend, today we are going to know what is so weird but true about the great state of Delaware...
1). The state attained statehood on December 7, 1787, becoming the 1st state to join the union...
2). Despite Dover being Delaware's capital Wilmington is Delaware’s largest city.
3). Delaware adopted the blue hen as its state symbol in 1939 as a nod to the blue hen **ahem** carried by the revolutionary soldiers for entertainment.
4). Wilmington was once home to Bob Marley, the godfather of Reggae. Moving into the city in 1965, he resided at 2313 N Tatnall for 12 years together with his mom. At some point during this period, Bob worked for DuPont and Chrysler as a lab assistant/forklift driver respectively. Bob’s mom ran the Roots Music Store on Market Street till 1976.
5). Did you know that Del. has only three counties (they are New Castle, Kent, and Sussex), the lowest number of any state? On the other hand, Texas (254 counties) has the most number of counties of any state in the United States.
6). Did you know that in 1638, near the mouth of the Delaware River, Swedish and Finnish people built the first log cabin in North America?
7). On December 7, 1787, DE became the first state to ratify the constitution of the United States. The state is also nicknamed the “First State”.
8). Dover played a pivotal role in shaping the US Constitution. Delegates from the 13 original colonies often met at the Golden Fleece Tavern to review the draft, eventually agreeing on 7th December 1787. The tavern no longer stands, but there’s a commemorative marker on its original site.
9). According to legend, Thomas Jefferson called Delaware a “jewel” among states because of its strategic location along the East Coast.
10). Henry Hudson, sailing under the Dutch flag, is credited with Delaware’s discovery in 1609.
11). The Heimlich Maneuver, a popular method to reduce choking-related deaths, was created by Delawarean Henry Heimlich in 1975. Only a year later, the maneuver was recognized by the American Heart Society for its life-saving technique.
12). In 1610, Delaware was named after the first governor of Virginia, Sir Thomas West, Lord De La Warr.
13). The Delmarva Chicken Festival of 1950 made headlines for a rather unusual reason. Held in Maryland, festival goers witnessed a new world record as a 10-foot frying pan was brought out to fry 800 chicken quarters. The pan held 180 gallons of oil.
14). Oliver Evans, a Delawarean inventor born in 1755, built America’s very first automobile in 1805. The car would also be the world’s first amphibious car.
15). Delaware is home to a shocking 86 endangered species, including the Red Knot bird and the Leatherback sea turtle. US law allows these animals to be protected and conserved.
16). Old Swedes Church, built between 1698 and 1699 still stands today in its hometown of Wilmington. It was built by descendants of the colonists from Sweden aboard the Kalmar Nyckel in 1638.
17). Delaware was the only state in America that did not have a national park into the 21st century. Their only national park, the First State National Historical Park was created in 2013 and sits on 1,100 acres of land.
18). The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, held in Wilmington each year, is the largest free jazz festival of its type on the East Coast. The festival welcomes over 2,000 festival-goers each year. It celebrated its 36th year in 2023. The festival features over a dozen of the biggest jazz performers in the world. (Source comes from 77 Interesting Facts About Delaware - Page 2 of 2 - The Fact File)
Have a blessed day... Take care and GOD bless...
Good Wednesday morning friend... Today we are going to know what is so weird but true about the great state of
1). Oregon is the 27th most populous and the 9th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It lies in the Pacific Northwest region on the West Coast of the United States. The state attained statehood on February 14, 1859, becoming the 33rd state to join the union. Its four bordering states are Nevada, Washington, California, and Idaho. Oregon (nicknamed: “Beaver State”) has 36 counties. The state’s capital is Salem. The abbreviation for Oregon is OR.
2). The origin of the name “Oregon” is uncertain. However, according to one account, the name is believed to have been derived from the French word, ‘Ouragan,’ loosely translated as hurricane’ or windstorm’. This was about the powerful winds originating from the Columbia River hence the name Oregon.
3). The state has 11 lighthouses, and Yaquina is the tallest standing at 93 feet. The tallest lighthouse is the most popular on the coast and has been in service since 1873.
4). Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, Oregon, is the world’s largest bookstore. The store has been in service in Portland since 1971. The company’s founder started his book-selling career with a loan of $3,000, which he repaid within two months of borrowing the money.
5). The mention of the deepest gorge in Oregon should give you a clear picture of a 7,900-foot Hell’s Canyon. This magnificent and picturesque physical feature is located between Idaho and Oregon along the Snake River.
6). Did you know that the world’s smallest park – Mill Ends Park – is in Portland, Oregon? Surprisingly, the park is just two square feet in area. Now imagine how one could fit a park in that little area. Here is a picture to clarify all your doubts. The park lies in the median of the heavily trafficked Naito Parkway. It was granted this recognition in 1971 by The Guinness Book of Records. The park was built because of a supposed leprechaun sighting. A journalist named **ahem** **ahem**an ran a column called Mill Ends. He claimed (in jest, of course) that he saw a leprechaun digging a hole that was supposed to be used for erecting a light pole. In truth, **ahem**an saw the space and began planting flowers on the spot. In 1948, on Patrick’s Day, the park was dedicated by **ahem**an himself. The journalist also wrote about a leprechaun colony living in the park headed by one named Patrick O’Toole.
7). Crater Lake is a notable physical feature that makes Oregon a unique state in the entire country. Crater Lake is the deepest (592 meters) among the lakes in the U.S. and one of the deepest in the world. The most intriguing part of its history is that it was formed as a volcanic lake thousands of years ago. Its scenic crystal-blue waters are well-known by every traveler worldwide. You could stack the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, and Statue of Liberty on top of each other and still have 100 feet of water covering Lady Liberty’s torch. That is how deep the lake is.
8). You are not allowed to box with a kangaroo in Myrtle Creek. No type of boxing is permitted, not even kickboxing, so put your boxing gloves away!
9). It is a well-known fact that the famous Hollywood star of all time, Clint Eastwood lived in Springfield, Oregon. He worked at Weyerhaeuser for a few weeks as a lumberjack before realizing that lumberjacking was a dangerous business venture.
10). In Portland, pinball machines have been completely banned since 1949 when Dorothy McCullough was the mayor.
11). Salem is the capital of Oregon. Originally, it was called Chemeketa by the Kalapuya Indians – a term that means “place of rest” or “place of peace”. The name was later changed to Salem, which is close to the Hebrew term “shalom” or peace. As the state capital, Salem did, indeed, become a meeting place for residents of Oregon.
12). Oregon City marks the final stop for the wagons that traversed the Oregon Trail. The historic trail began in Independence, Missouri, and ended in this city. Today, there is an Interpretive Center in the city that offers tourists an interactive display of what life was like then as a pioneer.
13). Astoria was named after John Jacob Astor, who established the city in 1810. The city is a favorite setting for Hollywood films, a relationship that began with the 1908 movie The Fisherman’s Bride. Beloved classics Short Circuit, Free Willy, Free Willy II, The Ring Two, and Into the Wild were also filmed here.
Have a blessed day... Take care and GOD bless...
