Sure, living in a place gives you a more keen sense about it. A certain knowledge about your state is expected. We know town names, geography, and a few trivial tidbits about the Bay State. But below you will discover 7 fun facts about Massachusetts you may not know.
To outsiders, Massachusetts is known for it’s rich history. It’s also known for funny accents, Good Will Hunting, Dunkin’ Donuts, seafood and colleges. Those of us who’ve lived here for some time think we know everything. You have likely dazzled visitors with your historical knowledge of things like, “we have the first public park in America (Boston Common) and the first public library.”
Everyone knows the story of the “curse of the bambino.” And how the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth and fans were left to suffer for 86 years before a World Series. We know basketball was invented here, because we have the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Those are a few givens.
The Fun Facts
But what are some interesting other interesting morsels to feed your friends and family? With the help of The Fact Site, I compiled a list of 7 fun facts about Massachusetts you may not know. But, hey, you can certainly claim you did and share the knowledge. I won’t tell.
These fun facts encompass everything from sports to food. There’s even geography and a little about the law of the land. Are you bothered by insects? You won’t be when you discover a piece of trivia about one particular insect listed below. Also, there’s a useful everyday item we use that has a history here.
Those are just a few of the subjects discussed here. Let’s get to it, shall we? Dig into these fun facts and share, share, share.
1. Once Upon A Time This State Was Part of Massachusetts
Did you know that our neighbors to the north were once Bay Staters too? That’s right! Maine was considered a part of Massachusetts until it became the 23rd state in the year 1820. According to MassMoments.org, “although it started as a separate colony in the 1620s, from the 1650s until 1820 Maine was a part of Massachusetts. After the Revolution, people living in Maine began a 35-year campaign for statehood.”
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3. This Sport Was First Played in Mass
You probably know that basketball was invented in Massachusetts, but did you know the sport of volleyball also began here? It was in 1895 and it was by a Holyoke YMCA physical education director. Basketball and volleyball were invented pretty close to each other in our state’s historical timeline. According to Only in Massachusetts, William G. Morgan was inspired by the recent game of basketball, to come up with something for all ages and abilities. In 1895 he invented what was then called, mintonette. Not a catchy name, so it was changed to volleyball.
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5. A Useful Household Item Was Invented Here
I have a drawer in my kitchen dedicated for just Tupperware, and similar plastic containers. Where would we be without something to store our leftovers and lunches in? I don’t want to know! And it think, it all started right here in Mass. These incredibly useful household items were invented in Leominster. Shout out to entrepreneur, Earl Tupper, who first came up with the idea of an “airtight “wonderbowl.” However, according to Only in Massachusetts, it was one of Tupper’s colleges, a woman named Brownie Wise that made Tupperware popular, when she came up with the idea doing parties to introduce the product to people.
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7. In Boston You Are Never Far Away From This
Now, this is a fun fact! As reported by Only In Massachusetts, if you are in Boston, you are never more than about a mile and a half from a Dunkin’ Donuts! Most of us know the enormously popular worldwide chain started in Quincy (1948 under the name Open Kettle). How’s this for an intriguing tidbit…Dunkin is such a part of our lives in Massachusetts, there is a store (restaurant) for ever 6500 residents!
Photo by Carolyn Kruse
