Massachusetts: State Flag, Bird and Facts
The black-capped chickadee is the state bird of Massachusetts, and the mayflower is the state flower.
- Capital
- Boston
- Nickname
- The Bay State
- State bird
- Black-capped chickadee
- State flower
- Mayflower
- State tree
- American elm
- Admitted
- February 6, 1788
- Population
- 7,029,917 (2020 census)
- Motto
- Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
- Region
- Northeast
- Area
- 27,336 km² (10,554 sq mi)
- Highest point
- Mount Greylock (3,489 ft)
- Borders
- Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
About Massachusetts
Pilgrims from the Mayflower founded Plymouth Colony here in 1620, and ten years later the Massachusetts Bay Colony put down roots in Boston and Salem. The Massachusett people gave the colony its name. The Revolution got its start in this state, and Boston earned the label Cradle of Liberty. Salem is remembered for the witch trials of 1692. Boston remains the capital today.
Though it ranks seventh smallest by land, Massachusetts has more people than any other New England state, nearly half of all New Englanders. Farming, fishing and trade gave way to factories during the Industrial Revolution. The flag shows the state coat of arms on a white field, and only one other state flag, Florida's, also shows a Native American. It was adopted in 1908 and lost its separate back side in 1971.
Did you know?
- Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, at 3,489 feet.
- Massachusetts keeps three official flags, including a naval and maritime flag.
- A codfish once appeared on Massachusetts license plates, matching the old nickname Codfish State.
Questions about Massachusetts
What is Massachusetts' nickname?
Its official nickname is The Bay State. License plates use The Spirit of America.
When did Massachusetts become a state?
Massachusetts ratified the Constitution on February 6, 1788.
Sources
- Wikidata Q771, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Massachusetts, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Flag of Massachusetts, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.