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History of Connecticut, USA
Journey back in time to Connecticut, USA
Visit Connecticut, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.
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Fun facts:
Connecticut and Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment (Prohibition).
Cattle branding in the United States began in Connecticut when farmers were required by law to mark all of their pigs.
Connecticut is home to the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published: The Hartford Courant, established in 1764.
Connecticut is home to the first hamburger (1895), Polaroid camera (1934), helicopter (1939), and color television (1948).
In 1937, Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates for cars.
Connecticut's most important crops are dairy, poultry, forest and nursery, tobacco, vegetables and fruit.
50states.com
"The state is named after the Connecticut River, which was named quinnitukqut by the Mohegans who lived in the eastern upper Thames valley. In their Algonquian language, the word means “long river place” or “beside the long tidal river.”" mentalfloss.com
Connecticut Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Connecticut, USA
Flag of Connecticut
Adopted September 9, 1897
Connecticut, USA
Postcard
Ansonia, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
National Bank
Connecticut, USA
Postcard
Bethany, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Christ Church
Connecticut, USA
Postcard
St. Mary's Church and Rectory, Branford, Conn.
Connecticut, USA
Advertisement
1942 advertisement
Reymond's is good Bread
Enriched with Vitamin -B, and other Vitamin B factors
Naugatuck Daily News
Naugatuck, Connecticut
July 2, 1942
Discover Connecticut: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1665 - Union of New Haven Colony and Connecticut Colony is completed with capitals in both Hartford and New Haven.
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
1687 - King James revoked charter, took colonists' legal rights; Charter Oak incident occurred
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1776 - Representatives of Connecticut Colony sign the Declaration of Independence and Connecticut becomes one of the thirteen states of the United States.
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
In 1784, the State of Connecticut passed an act for the gradual abolition of slavery
declaring all born after that period free at twenty-five years of age, and allowing masters to emancipate all between twenty-five and forty-five.
History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
declaring all born after that period free at twenty-five years of age, and allowing masters to emancipate all between twenty-five and forty-five.
History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
1788 - Federal Constitution approved; Connecticut became Nation's fifth state
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1806 - Noah Webster published first edition of his dictionary
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1815 - First steamboat on Connecticut River to Hartford
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1818 – New Connecticut Constitution is passed; Congregational Church is disestablished, and no longer receives direct town support.
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
1832 - First Connecticut railroad incorporated
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1839 - Connecticut
CONNECTICUT
This state is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, S. by Long Island Sound, and W. by New York. Situated between 40°58' and 42°1'N. lat., and 72°37' and 71°43'W. lon.
The territory of Connecticut was formerly two colonies:—Connecticut and New Haven. The colony of Connecticut was planted by citizens of Massachusetts, at Windsor, in 1633, and at Hartford and Wethersfield, in 1635 and 1636. The colony of New Haven was settled by Englishmen, in 1638. In 1665, the two colonies were united by a charter granted by Charles the Second. This charter was the basis of the government till 1818, when the present constitution was formed.
Connecticut is divided into the eight following counties—Hartford, New Haven, New London, Fairfield, Windham, Litchfield, Middlesex, and Tolland. The face of the state is greatly diversified by hills and valleys. In general it is so exceeding undulating or uneven, as to present an everchanging variety of objects. The ranges of... Read MORE...
CONNECTICUT
This state is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, S. by Long Island Sound, and W. by New York. Situated between 40°58' and 42°1'N. lat., and 72°37' and 71°43'W. lon.
The territory of Connecticut was formerly two colonies:—Connecticut and New Haven. The colony of Connecticut was planted by citizens of Massachusetts, at Windsor, in 1633, and at Hartford and Wethersfield, in 1635 and 1636. The colony of New Haven was settled by Englishmen, in 1638. In 1665, the two colonies were united by a charter granted by Charles the Second. This charter was the basis of the government till 1818, when the present constitution was formed.
Connecticut is divided into the eight following counties—Hartford, New Haven, New London, Fairfield, Windham, Litchfield, Middlesex, and Tolland. The face of the state is greatly diversified by hills and valleys. In general it is so exceeding undulating or uneven, as to present an everchanging variety of objects. The ranges of... Read MORE...
In the year 1848, slavery had entirely disappeared in Connecticut, and was declared by the Legislature extinct and forever abolished.
History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
1854 - Connecticut
Connecticut, one of the original states of the American confederacy, and the most S. W. of the New England states, is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, S. by Long Island sound, and W. by New York. It lies between 41° and 42° 3' N. lat., and 71° 55' and 73° 50' W. Ion.; being about 93 miles in length from E. to W., and 68 miles in its greatest breadth from N. to S. ; including an area of about 4674 square miles, or 2,991,360 acres, of which 1,734,277 were improved in 1850.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Connecticut, one of the original states of the American confederacy, and the most S. W. of the New England states, is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, S. by Long Island sound, and W. by New York. It lies between 41° and 42° 3' N. lat., and 71° 55' and 73° 50' W. Ion.; being about 93 miles in length from E. to W., and 68 miles in its greatest breadth from N. to S. ; including an area of about 4674 square miles, or 2,991,360 acres, of which 1,734,277 were improved in 1850.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1894 - November 5 - The famous Election Day snowstorm occurred in Connecticut. As much as a foot of wet snow fell, and the snow and high winds caused great damage to wires and trees.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1897 - Pope Manufacturing Co. began automobile manufacturing
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1901 - First state to enact law regarding automobile speeds
The state of Connecticut passed the first automobile law in 1901. It set the driving speed limit at 12 miles per hour.
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
The state of Connecticut passed the first automobile law in 1901. It set the driving speed limit at 12 miles per hour.
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1936 - Severe damages caused by flooding in Connecticut River Valley
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1937- Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates for cars.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ connecticut.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ connecticut.html
1939 - First section of Wilbur Cross Parkway opened
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
February 16, 1943 - The morning low of -32 degrees at Falls Village CT established a state record, yet the afternoon high that day was 20 degrees above zero.
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
1948 - Pickles must bounce
A pickle cannot be sold unless it bounces. According to a 1948 article, this law became a necessity after two scheming pickle packers tried to sell pickles “unfit for human consumption” on the sly. Connecticut’s Food and Drug Commissioner at the time proclaimed that a real pickle “should bounce” when dropped from the height of one foot, leading to a new state regulation.
rd.com
A pickle cannot be sold unless it bounces. According to a 1948 article, this law became a necessity after two scheming pickle packers tried to sell pickles “unfit for human consumption” on the sly. Connecticut’s Food and Drug Commissioner at the time proclaimed that a real pickle “should bounce” when dropped from the height of one foot, leading to a new state regulation.
rd.com
1955 - Many killed and much property damage occurred due to heavy flooding
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
1958 - 129-miles Connecticut Turnpike opened
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ cttimeln.htm
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Connecticut:
Yale University: Visit the prestigious Yale University in New Haven. Explore the stunning campus architecture, including the iconic Yale University Art Gallery and the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Mystic Seaport Museum: Experience maritime history at the Mystic Seaport Museum, where you can explore historic ships, a recreated 19th-century village, and a vast collection of maritime artifacts.
The Mark Twain House: Literature enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. Explore the home where the famous author penned some of his most iconic works.
Gillette Castle State Park: This quirky and picturesque castle in East Haddam, once home to actor William Gillette, offers hiking trails and panoramic views of the Connecticut River.
Litchfield Hills: Enjoy the scenic beauty of Litchfield Hills with its rolling hills, charming towns, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring quaint villages like Kent and... Read MORE...
Yale University: Visit the prestigious Yale University in New Haven. Explore the stunning campus architecture, including the iconic Yale University Art Gallery and the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Mystic Seaport Museum: Experience maritime history at the Mystic Seaport Museum, where you can explore historic ships, a recreated 19th-century village, and a vast collection of maritime artifacts.
The Mark Twain House: Literature enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. Explore the home where the famous author penned some of his most iconic works.
Gillette Castle State Park: This quirky and picturesque castle in East Haddam, once home to actor William Gillette, offers hiking trails and panoramic views of the Connecticut River.
Litchfield Hills: Enjoy the scenic beauty of Litchfield Hills with its rolling hills, charming towns, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring quaint villages like Kent and... Read MORE...
Our Connecticut Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Connecticut Ancestry
Genealogy Resources for Connecticut
Connecticut History Pages Online (www.colonialct.uconn.edu)Early Connecticut Probate Records
Ancestry® Connecticut Department of Health. Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.
Timeline of Connecticut History
A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819
Connecticut Newspapers
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