Connecticut became the 5th official state of the United States on January 9, 1788.
The official state insect of Connecticut is the Praying Mantis.
Notable crops in Connecticut include dairy, poultry, forest and nursery products, tobacco, vegetables, and fruit.
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
Bristol, CT, is known as the “Mum City” due to its extensive Chrysanthemum cultivation.
The manufacturing of the first safety fuse began in Simsbury in 1836.
In 1728, Simsbury was home to the first steel mill operating in America.
Wallingford has a worldwide reputation for producing silverware.
PEZ Candy is made in the city of Orange, Connecticut.
Thomas Sanford made the first friction matches in Beacon Falls in 1834.
Stafford textile mills weave some of the world’s most famous cloth.
Connecticut is home to geographical features like Beacon Hill, Bear Mountain, Chauncey Peak, and East Rock, all part of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was built in Groton in 1954.
Connecticut and Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment (Prohibition).
Copper was discovered in Simsbury in 1705, later becoming the infamous New-Gate Prison during the Revolutionary War.
The Connecticut quarter was issued on October 12, 1999.
The Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury is the oldest public library in the United States, founded in 1771.
Mary Kies, from South Killingly, was the first woman to receive a U.S. patent in 1809 for a method of weaving straw with silk.
The first telephone book was published in New Haven in February 1878, containing only fifty names.
Connecticut’s first golf tournament for women only was held in Waterbury on June 12, 1917.
West Hartford, the birthplace of Noah Webster, is the author of the first dictionary published in 1807.
Connecticut is home to the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published: The Hartford Courant, established in 1764.
The first lollipop-making machine opened for business in New Haven in 1908.
Ella Grasso was elected in 1974 as the first woman to be a state governor in her own right.
In 1937, Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates for cars.
New Haven was incorporated as a city in 1784.
Danbury, an important military depot for the American Revolutionary armies, was burned and looted in April 1777 by the British under Major General William Tryon.
The first blast furnace in Connecticut was built in Lakeville in 1762.
The Submarine Force Museum in Groton is home to the historic ship Nautilus (SSN 571), the official submarine museum of the United States Navy.
In colonial New Haven, cut pumpkins were used as guides for haircuts, leading to the nickname “pumpkin-heads.”
Middlebury derives its name from the central position of the town’s meetinghouse, located six miles from three older neighbors: Waterbury, Southbury, and Woodbury.
The first English settlers arrived in 1636, establishing the plantations of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield.
Monroe’s town seal features a profile of James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, who served from 1817-1825.
Montville was originally part of New London and was settled in 1646 by the Tunxis Tribe.
B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic is the only steam-powered cider mill in the United States.
New Hartford’s “Town Bicentennial Emblem” was designed by 7-year-old James Thorsell.
New Milford experienced its worst disaster in 1902 when the main business section was almost completely leveled by the “Great Fire.”
North Stonington was incorporated in 1807 and was named for the stony character of its hilly countryside.
To register to vote in Connecticut, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of a Connecticut town, at least 18 years old, and not convicted of a felony.
Dr. Henry Bronson, a professor at Yale Medical School, became the first expert in the treatment of Asiatic cholera in 1832.
The first automobile law was passed by the state of CT in 1901, setting the speed limit at 12 miles per hour.
The first golf tournament in Connecticut for women only was held in Waterbury on June 12, 1917.
West Hartford is the birthplace of Noah Webster, the author of the first dictionary published in 1807.
West Haven, although Connecticut’s youngest city (incorporated in 1972), dates back over 360 years, making it one of the oldest settlements in the country.
Washington was incorporated in 1779, named in honor of General George Washington.
Hartford has remained the capital city of Connecticut since 1875.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), the famous American author of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” spent a considerable part of his life in Hartford, Connecticut.
Katharine Hepburn, the legendary actress, called Old Saybrook, Connecticut, her home.
Steve Martin, the iconic comedian and actor, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Kate Winslet, the celebrated actress known for “Titanic” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” was born in Reading, Connecticut.
Paris Hilton, the famous hotel heiress, served time in a Connecticut correctional facility in 2007 for violating probation.
Al Capone, the notorious American gangster, was once imprisoned in a Connecticut jail in Hartford.
G. Gordon Liddy, associated with the Watergate scandal, served part of his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.
Howard Hughes, the American aviator and film producer, was incarcerated in Connecticut for a violation of the Mann Act.
Union Cemetery, located in Easton, is allegedly haunted and known for its eerie White Lady ghost sightings.
The abandoned Fairfield Hills State Hospital, rumored to be haunted, is situated in Newtown, Connecticut.
Dudleytown, considered one of the most haunted places in Connecticut, can be found in Litchfield County.
The New London Ledge Light, a lighthouse in Connecticut, is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a former keeper named Ernie.
The “Black Dog of West Peak,” a phantom canine, is said to haunt West Peak in Meriden, Connecticut.
Sol LeWitt: A prominent American artist linked to various art movements, including Minimalism and Conceptual Art. LeWitt lived in Chester, Connecticut.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens): While not primarily known as an artist, the famous author and humorist spent a significant part of his life in Hartford, Connecticut.
Philip Guston: An influential abstract expressionist painter who lived in Woodstock, Connecticut.
Helen Frankenthaler: A major figure in postwar American painting, known for her unique style of abstract expressionism. She lived in Darien, Connecticut.
Alexander Calder: A renowned sculptor famous for inventing the mobile. Calder lived in Roxbury, Connecticut.
Maurice Sendak: While best known as a children’s book author and illustrator, Sendak’s illustrations are considered an art form. He lived in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Daniel Chester French: An influential American sculptor known for his monumental public art. French lived and worked in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, but maintained a studio in New York and a residence in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Harriet Beecher Stowe: While primarily known as an author, Stowe was also an artist and lived in Hartford, Connecticut.
Norman Rockwell: Though he spent most of his career in Massachusetts, Rockwell had a studio in New Rochelle, New York, and later lived in Stamford, Connecticut.
Elie Nadelman: A Polish-American sculptor known for his modernist style. Nadelman lived in Riverdale, Connecticut.
Pequot War: The Pequot War of 1637, involving European settlers and Native Americans, took place in Connecticut and is considered one of the earliest conflicts in Colonial America.
Eli Whitney: The inventor of the cotton gin and a pioneer in the development of interchangeable parts in manufacturing, Eli Whitney, was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, but later moved to New Haven, Connecticut.
Gillette Castle: Located in East Haddam, Connecticut, Gillette Castle was the former home of actor William Gillette, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage.
Submarine Capital: Groton, Connecticut, is often referred to as the “Submarine Capital of the World” due to its long history of submarine construction. The U.S. Navy’s Submarine Base and the Electric Boat shipyard are located in Groton.
Connecticut Wine Industry: Connecticut has a growing wine industry with numerous vineyards and wineries producing a variety of wines. The Connecticut Wine Trail takes visitors through scenic landscapes to explore the state’s winemaking.
Connecticut River: The Connecticut River, flowing through the state, is one of the longest rivers in the New England region and played a significant role in the early development of settlements.
Old State House: Hartford’s Old State House, built in 1796, is one of the nation’s oldest state houses and served as the state capitol until 1878. It has historical significance and is now a museum.
Connecticut’s Charter Oak: The Charter Oak, a symbol of resistance during Colonial times, was said to hide the state’s charter in 1687 when it was sought by the English governor. The tree fell during a storm in 1856, but its legacy lives on.
Mystic Seaport: Mystic Seaport, located in Mystic, Connecticut, is the largest maritime museum in the U.S. It features a recreated 19th-century coastal village and a collection of historic ships.
Connecticut’s Coastline: Despite being a relatively small state, Connecticut has a diverse coastline along Long Island Sound, offering beautiful beaches and coastal landscapes.
Michael Bolton: The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bolton has a residence in Westport, Connecticut.
Diana Ross: The legendary Motown singer Diana Ross has owned a home in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Jose Feliciano: The Puerto Rican-born singer and guitarist, famous for his rendition of “Feliz Navidad,” resides in Weston, Connecticut.
John Mayer: The Grammy-winning musician and singer-songwriter John Mayer has been associated with Connecticut, particularly Fairfield County.
Rivers Cuomo: The lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Weezer, Rivers Cuomo, has lived in Connecticut.
Linda Ronstadt: The iconic singer Linda Ronstadt lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, for some time during her career.
Luis Resto: The Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, known for his collaborations with Eminem, is from Stamford, Connecticut.
Meg Ryan (Actress): While primarily known as an actress, Meg Ryan has a house in the charming town of Lyme, Connecticut.
Warren Occult Museum: Located in Monroe, Connecticut, the Warren Occult Museum was founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators. It houses numerous allegedly haunted objects, including the infamous Annabelle doll.
Amityville Horror Case Connection: Ed and Lorraine Warren, who operated in Connecticut, were also involved in the famous Amityville Horror case in neighboring New York. Their paranormal investigations gained widespread attention.
Union Cemetery Hauntings: Beyond the White Lady ghost sightings, Union Cemetery in Easton, Connecticut, is also associated with other paranormal phenomena. It is considered one of the most haunted cemeteries in the state.
Southford Falls State Park: Southford Falls State Park in Oxford, Connecticut, is rumored to be haunted. Visitors have reported strange occurrences and apparitions near the old Southford Falls factory.
Captain Grant’s Inn: Located in Preston, Connecticut, Captain Grant’s Inn is a historic bed and breakfast with a reputation for being haunted. It has been featured on paranormal television shows.
The Norwich Inn: The Norwich Inn in Norwich, Connecticut, is said to be haunted by several spirits, including that of a former owner. It’s a popular spot for ghost tours.
The Sterling Opera House: Situated in Derby, Connecticut, the Sterling Opera House is believed to be haunted by several spirits. It has a rich history and has been featured in paranormal investigations.
Seaside Sanatorium: This abandoned sanatorium in Waterford, Connecticut, is rumored to be haunted. It was originally built as a facility for children with tuberculosis.
Griswold Inn: The Griswold Inn in Essex, Connecticut, is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the country. It has a reputation for being haunted, with reports of ghostly apparitions.
Raynham Hall Museum: Located in Norfolk, Connecticut, Raynham Hall is believed to be haunted. It is a historic house museum with a rich history dating back to the 18th century.
Amistad Case (1839-1841): The Amistad was a slave ship where a mutiny occurred in 1839. The subsequent legal battles took place in Connecticut, including the U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. The Amistad. The outcome led to the release of the African captives.
Kelo v. City of New London (2005): This controversial case involved eminent domain and the taking of private property for economic development. The Supreme Court’s decision favored the city, allowing the seizure of homes for a private development project.
Grutter v. Bollinger (2003): While the primary legal action took place at the University of Michigan, this landmark Supreme Court case involved a Connecticut resident, Barbara Grutter. The case addressed affirmative action in university admissions.
Connecticut v. Griswold (1965): This case challenged a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives and was a precursor to the more famous Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court’s decision in Griswold established the right to privacy in marital relations.
Ross v. Moffitt (1974): This case, originating in Connecticut, dealt with the issue of whether a state must provide an indigent defendant with an attorney for discretionary appeals.
State of Connecticut v. Michael Skakel (2002): Michael Skakel, a relative of the Kennedy family, was convicted of the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley in Greenwich. The case drew widespread attention due to the prominence of the families involved.
Hopwood v. Texas (1996): Cheryl Hopwood, a Connecticut resident, was one of the plaintiffs in a case challenging the University of Texas School of Law’s affirmative action policy. The ruling struck down the use of race as a factor in admissions.
Perez v. Brownell (1958): This case involved Perez, a naturalized U.S. citizen, challenging the constitutionality of a law that allowed the government to revoke the citizenship of naturalized citizens for alleged subversive activities. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Perez.
