Take a detailed look at the state of Massachusetts! From its earliest history and peoples, to present day facts which include population, climate, geography, plants and animals, economy, government, cultural life, sports and recreation,...

Provides background information and the complete text of the charter of the Massachusetts Bay 1629.

Henry Thoreau left a legacy for people to listen to and defend their consciences. He felt strongly against taxes and avoided as many as possible, but could not escape the poll tax. This is a concise publication identifying Thoreau's...

This excellent online exhibit presents the major snakes of Massachusetts. It presents a brief history of snakes, looks at people's misconceptions of snakes, provides snake facts, and gives information on how to identify different species.

Provides a brief history of the migration and immigration laws starting in 1790, with brief descriptions of each law. Includes court decisions.

A short biography of Caleb Strong, a delegate from Massachusetts to the Constitutional Convention, focusing on his role as Governor of Massachusetts in the early 19th century.

Learn unique facts about each American state. You can also read a more in-depth history of each state, watch videos and play a game about all the states.

During the religious upheavals of the 16th century, a body of men and women called Puritans sought to reform the Established Church of England from within. Essentially, they demanded that the rituals and structures associated with Roman...

A very nice biography of the fifth vice president of the United States, Elbridge Gerry. Gerry died in office in 1814.

During the religious upheavals of the 16th century, a body of men and women called Puritans sought to reform the Established Church of England from within. Essentially, they demanded that the rituals and structures associated with Roman...

Compares life in the three regions of the thirteen British colonies - the New England colonies (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut), the Middle Colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey), and the...

View the complete text of the New England Articles of Confederation 1643, an alliance of the English colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.

From a son of Benjamin Franklin to a Mohawk leader to the governor of Massachusetts, these men chose to side with the British. In a way, the American Revolution was also a civil war. By 1774, American colonists were divided into two...

A brief but detailed biography of this delegate from Massachusetts to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and for a time was its president.

A good biographical sketch of Rufus King, one of the signers of the Constitution. He was a delegate from Massachusetts. He served in the Revolutionary war and was later a senator from New York.

Strengthen understanding of the ratification of the Constitution. Study the state ratification conventions of Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York.

Explore the maritime history of Florida through its shipwrecks. Site includes list of shipwreck sites, maps of shipwrecks, and extensive history.

Resource study of the Bill of Rights examines governance by looking at three cases in history for comparison to analyze the concepts of theocracy and democracy in governing. Includes questions for discussion and small group activity.

At this site from the University of Groningen you can read Edward Randolph's address to Parliament concerning the rebellious attitude of the colony of Massachusetts as designated as "articles of misdemeanors." Read each of the...

The full title of this page is "African Americans in Massachusetts: Case Studies of Desegregation in 19th Century Nantucket and Boston." It features a timeline that covers the mid-19th century cases in Nantucket and Boston concerning the...

Find here a collection of links to information about the state of Massachusetts. Categories include facts, government, geography, education, people, attractions, history, industry, and miscellaneous.

The Library of Congress profiles Massachusetts in this fact-filled article about the "Old Colony State."

At Beverly High School in Massachusetts, students learn history through their own primary research on local history topics. This article and links from it explain how it's done.

Washington retired in 1797, firmly declining to serve for more than eight years as the nation's head. His vice president, John Adams of Massachusetts, was elected the new president. Even before he entered the presidency, Adams had...