Connecticut. "Qui transtulit sustinet" The United States of America. Carol A. Haberkern. (He who transplanted still sustains) Hartford

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1 Connecticut The United States of America "Qui transtulit sustinet" (He who transplanted still sustains) Carol A. Haberkern Hartford I Save A Tree Electronic Books C 2003 I Save A Tree Inc. ISBN# X

Table of Contents Location 5 History before statehood 7 History since statehood 9 State government 11 State flag 13 Current facts 15 Industry today 17 State landmarks 19 Weather and land 21 Animals

2 Table of Contents Location 5 History before statehood 7 History since statehood 9 State government 11 State flag 13 Current facts 15 Industry today 17 State landmarks 19 Weather and land 21 Animals in Connecticut 23 State bird 25 State tree 27 State flower 29 Famous people from Connecticut 31 Things to do in Connecticut 33 Popular sports in Connecticut 35 Fast facts 37 Glossary 39 Web sites / books for information 41 Index 43 Credits 45

New York borders it on the west and Massachusetts to the north.

3 Location Connecticut is a northern and a New England state. It is located in the northeastern part of the United States. New York borders it on the west and Massachusetts to the north. The state of Rhode Island lies to its east. The southeastern part of Connecticut is on Long Island Sound. Hartford is the capital. It is located in the northern part of the state. Hartford 6

4 History Before Statehood Colonial clothing When the Dutch arrived in 1614, there were several Native American tribes living in the area. The first English colonists moved into Connecticut from Massachusetts in After more colonists arrived, they formed their own government. England taxed the 13 colonies but the colonies revolted. The Revolutionary War ( ) began. The colonies won the war. Native American 8

History Since Statehood In 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state of the Union. It was a manufacturing state. Factories made guns, cloth, clocks, tools and hats.

5 History Since Statehood In 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state of the Union. It was a manufacturing state. Factories made guns, cloth, clocks, tools and hats. During the Civil War ( ), Connecticut fought against slavery. Its factories made war supplies for the Union. Factory construction In the early 1900s new immigrants took jobs in factories. After World War II ( ), many residents worked in New York City. Interstate Highway 95 was built to get them there easier. Union Soldiers 10

Government State capitol building The state government of Connecticut is divided into three branches. The legislative branch is called the General Assembly. It makes the laws.

6 Government State capitol building The state government of Connecticut is divided into three branches. The legislative branch is called the General Assembly. It makes the laws. The General Assembly has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Governor John G. Rowland is head of the executive branch. This branch is in charge of carrying out the laws. The third branch is the judicial branch. This branch interprets the laws. Connecticut has 8 counties. Each county has a local government. Gov. John J. Rowland 12

7 State Flag The background of Connecticut's flag is azure blue. A white shield with three grapevines is in the center. Each grapevine has three bunches of purple grapes. A white ribbon below the shield has the state motto "He who transplanted sustains us" written on it. The vines stand for the English settlements that began to appear in Connecticut in the 1600s. The state flag was adopted in

8 Current Facts The Fundamental Orders Hartford About 3,405,565 people live in Connecticut. The state is ranked the 29th largest state for the number of people living in it. Connecticut covers 4,845 square miles. It ranks 48th in total area. The state's nickname is the "Constitution State." The nickname comes from the state having the first written constitution, a document known as "The Fundamental Orders". 16

Industry Today Nuclear submarine Today, Connecticut is still a big manufacturing state. Companies manufacture airplane parts, soaps, computers and tools for scientists.

9 Industry Today Nuclear submarine Today, Connecticut is still a big manufacturing state. Companies manufacture airplane parts, soaps, computers and tools for scientists. Nuclear submarines are built in Groton. The state has over 100 insurance companies. Trade is important in the ports of Bridgeport, New Haven and New London. Farms produce apples, blueberries and pears. They raise dairy cows and chickens. Tourism creates jobs in hotels and restaurants. Fishing is an important industry along the coast. Blueberries 18

Landmarks Dinosaur park Dinosaurs once roamed Connecticut. At Dinosaur State Park, visitors can see dinosaur tracks that are millions of years old.

10 Landmarks Dinosaur park Dinosaurs once roamed Connecticut. At Dinosaur State Park, visitors can see dinosaur tracks that are millions of years old. Visitors can climb Heublein Tower in Talcott Mountain State Park and see four states. Nature can be enjoyed on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The old lighthouse on Sheffield Island is another well-known landmark. It can be reached by riding a ferry from Norwalk. Old lighthouse 20

11 Weather & Land Connecticut woods Connecticut has warm humid summers. Winters can be cold in the mountains with a lot of snow. Summer temperatures average 71, and winter temperatures average 26 Fahrenheit. Average precipitation is 47 inches. In the middle of the state is the Connecticut Valley. Connecticut has mountains, hills, valleys, coastland and islands. Many rivers flow through the state. Snowy river 22

12 Animals In Connecticut Pheasant The sperm whale was named the state animal in It was chosen for the role it played in the state's whaling history. White-tailed deer, rabbits, foxes and coyotes roam the forests. Otters and muskrats make their homes in rivers and streams. Birds like wild turkeys, ruffled grouse, pheasants, orioles, warblers and bluebirds are common. Many reptiles, like turtles and snakes, live in the woods and fields. Sperm whale 24

13 State Bird Robin The American robin (Turdus migratorius)was named the state bird in Each spring many robins return to Connecticut. In the winter, most of them fly to warmer areas. The male has a red breast and black wings. The female is duller in color. Robin eggs are blue. Sometimes the color is called sky blue. Robins are strong singers. Robin family 26

14 State Tree Oak leaf and acorn Oak tree In 1947, the white oak (Quercus alba) was named the state tree of Connecticut. In the fall the leaves turn red. Acorns grow on oak trees. They provide food for many animals during the winter months. This tree is sometimes called the "Charter Oak Tree." During colonial times, the oak tree became famous for hiding a charter that the British gave to Connecticut. The colonists hid it in the trunk of a giant white oak. The English soldiers didn't find it. 28

15 State Flower Mountain laurel The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) was named the state flower of Connecticut in Mountain laurel bushes are evergreen. They bloom in the spring. The blossoms can be pink or white. The flowers are shaped like shallow cups. In the spring the woods are covered with these flowers. The leaves are poisonous to some animals. Mountain laurel 30

16 Famous People Barnum and Bailey Circus George Walker Bush, the 41st President, grew up in Greenwich. Circus showman Phineas T. Barnum was born in Bethel. He helped start the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Harriet Beecher Stowe and Ethan Allen were born in Litchfield. Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. During the Revolutionary War, Allen was the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Figure skater Dorothy Hamill was also born in Conneticut. George Bush 32

17 Things to Do In Connecticut Children's museum Connecticut has many museums to visit. Visitors can walk inside a full-size model of a whale in the Science Center of Connecticut. Over 1,400 clocks and watches are on display in the American Clock and Watch Museum. One of America's oldest art museums is in Hartford. In Groton, visitors can board the first nuclear submarine. Swimming, sailing, hiking, skiing and camping are also popular activities. Skiing 34

18 Sports In Connecticut Baseball Ski jumping Snow skiing is a big sport in Connecticut. Each February the U.S. Eastern Ski Jumping Championships are held in Salisbury. Connecticut has no professional football teams, but college football is popular. The Harvard-Yale game is considered the biggest game played each year. Baseball is also enjoyed. Several minor-league baseball teams in the state. Each August, the Pilot Pen International tennis tournament is held at Yale University. 36

19 Connecticut woods Fast Facts Governor : John G. Rowland Capital: Hartford Size: 4,845 square miles, 48th in the U.S. Population: 3,405,565, 29th in the U.S. Major cities: Bridgeport, New Haven Hartford Stamford,Waterbury Nickname: "Constitution State" State bird: American robin State animal: sperm whale State tree: white oak State flower: mountain laurel State song: "Yankee Doodle" State motto: "Qui transtulit sustinet" (He who transplanted still sustains) Hartford 38

20 Glossary azure, a deep, clear blue. charter, a piece of paper that lists the rights of people. circus, a traveling show with tents. insurance, a business that secures against a loss in return for premiums paid. nuclear, power that comes from splitting atoms. port, a place where boats can safely dock. precipitation, moisture in the form of rain or snow. shallow, not deep. sound, a narrow strip of water between the mainland and an island. 40

21 Links & Books For more information Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 TITLE: Connecticut AUTHOR: Anne Welsbacher PUBLISHER: ABDO & Daughters COPYRIGHT: 1998 TITLE: Connecticut Facts and Symbols AUTHOR: Emily McAuliffe PUBLISHER: Capstone Press COPYRIGHT: 1999 TITLE: Connecticut AUTHOR: Sylvia McNair PUBLISHER: Children's Press COPYRIGHT: 1999 Visit our 42

22 Index Allen, Ethan, 32 Bush, George Walker, 31 "Charter Oak Tree," 27 Civil War, 9 clock, 9, 33 dinosaur, 19 Groton, 17, 34 Hartford, 5, 17, 34 Interstate 95, 10 laurel,mountain, 29 oak, white, 27, 28 Revolutionary War, 8, 32 robin, 25, 26 Rowland, John G., 12 Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 32 submarine, 17, 34 whale, sperm, 23 World War II, 10 44

23 Credits Written by Carol A. Haberkern Edited by Linda Coyner Produced by Robert Rance Technologies Doug Meyers Design Dan Mader Photo credits Connecticut Department of Natural Resources I Save A Tree Inc. reserves the right to remove or exchange any photo/illustration at any time without notice. 46

"Sic semper tyrannis" (Thus always to tyrants)

Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants) Virginia "Sic semper tyrannis" (Thus always to tyrants) The United States of America Carol A Haberkern Richmond I Save A Tree Electronic Books C 2003 I Save A Tree Inc. Table of Contents Location 5 History