Happy Massachusetts Day! I don’t know about you, but I didn’t even realize that was a thing. in 2017, National Day Calendar started celebrating each state in the order they entered the union. It starts the week of Independence Day with Delaware, and ends with Hawaii. Each state has their own celebration, but National Day Calendar’s intention was to honor the achievements, culture, and history of Massachusetts as well as recognize its citizens and all they have done for the state.
Ways to celebrate
Visit one of the most popular landmarks in the state. According to Trip Advisor, some of the top landmarks are: The Boston Public Library, Aquinnah Cliffs in Martha’s Vineyard, Route 6A (Old King Highway), Motif Number 1 in Rockport, Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket, and the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs.
Head to a museum. There are so many great museums in Massachusetts. Of course there’s the big ones like The Museum of Fine Arts, The Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Science. But have you checked out some of the other more unique museums? There’s the Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Beer Can Museum and Hall of Fame in East Taunton, the Museum of Burnt Food in Arlington, and even the Take2wo Selfie Museum in New Bedford.
Eat some great seafood! Nothing says Massachusetts like a yummy lobster roll, fried clams, or chowdah! If you need a recommendation, you can check out the 5 Best Seafood Restaurants in Massachusetts, just in time for summer.
Embrace your inner Masshole on National Massachusetts Day
“Let’s take a look at what the exact definition of a Masshole is. Depending on who you ask, it could be a term of endearment. Many say it refers to bad driving. Certain Masshole moves drivers may make is, not using a blinker, cutting people off and then flipping THEM off as if they did something wrong and “pulling a U-ey” which is described as making an illegal U-turn. How many of these things have you done?” From 19 Signs You Are Clearly A Masshole.
Massachusetts Symbols
Each state has their own symbols, and Massachusetts is no exception. We obviously have the obvious ones. The state berry (cranberry), state bean (baked bean), etc. But there are a whole lot of others that you probably have no idea about. Here you go.
– All descriptions are from State Symbols USA and Mass.gov
State Cat - Tabby
Massachusetts designated the tabby cat as the official state cat in 1988, in response to the wishes of the schoolchildren of Massachusetts.
State Dog - Boston Terrier
The Boston terrier (Canis familiaris bostenensis) was designated the official state dog of Massachusetts in 1979.
State Children's Author & Illustrator - Dr. Seuss
Massachusetts recognized Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) as the official state children’s author and illustrator in 2003. The beloved Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) filled his pages with tongue-twisters, inventive word play, and imaginative characters like Grinches, bunches of Hunches, and a fox in socks. Dr. Seuss is credited as the originator of the word nerd, first used in his 1950 book, “If I Ran the Zoo.”
State Children's Book - Make Way for Ducklings
“Make Way for Ducklings” was designated the official children’s book of Massachusetts in 2003. The third grade class at the Dean S. Luce Elementary School in Canton were responsible for gaining sponsorship for the legislation. “Make Way for Ducklings” is a picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey and first published in 1941. The book tells the story of a pair of mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in Boston Public Garden’s lagoon (Boston Public Garden is a park in the center of the city).
State Cookie - Chocolate Chip
In 1997 the chocolate chip cookie was recognized as the official state cookie of Massachusetts. A third grade class from Somerset proposed the bill honoring the cookie (invented in 1930 at the Toll House Restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts).
State Donut - Boston Cream
The Boston cream donut was designated the official state donut of Massachusetts in 2003.
State Gem - Rhodonite
Rhodonite was recognized by Massachusetts in 1979 as the official state gem or gem symbol. Rhodonite varies in hue from a light pink to a deep rose or reddish pink, and is considered the most beautiful gem material found in Massachusetts (rhodonite is associated with black manganese). Rhodonite means compassion and love.
State Groundhog - Ms. G
Lincoln, MA – February 2: On Climate Action Day, Ms. G, the Official Groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, returned (as a virtual event) to Mass Audubons Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary to search for her shadow in Lincoln, MA on Feb. 2, 2022. Ms. G. made her annual prognostication for when spring will arrive. Folklore has it that if she sees her shadow, well be looking at six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring is in the works. This year she predicted an early spring. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Massachusetts designated Ms. G of the Massachusetts Audubon Society as the official state groundhog in 2014 (to “be utilized as a way to educate elementary school children on the importance of meteorology”). Mish Michaels (a meteorologist with WBZ-TVKids) and students of Wellesley’s Hunnewell Elementary School campaigned to have Ms. G recognized as a symbol of Massachusetts (to teach kids about weather, the environment, and the way legislature works).
State Fish - Cod
“The COD (Gadus morrhua). A sculpture of a cod hangs in the House of Representatives as a tribute to this useful aquatic creature. For over 200 years, the emblem of the cod has remained a symbol of the Commonwealth’s economic beginnings, as the fishing industry provided the Puritans with food, fertilizer, and revenue for trade. The Cod was approved as the state fish as of May 2, 1974.”
State Insect - Ladybug
The ladybug was adopted as the official state insect or insect emblem of Massachusetts in 1974 (thanks to a campaign that began with a second-grade class in the town of Franklin). Because this insect benefits agriculture and delights children everywhere, Ohio, New York, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Delaware also designate the ladybug as an official state symbol. Love this as ladybugs in many cultures believe the ladybug as a positive symbol of good luck and new beginnings.
State Sport - Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 11: Paul Pierce, presented by Kevin Garnett speaks during the 2021Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 11, 2021 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Massachusetts designated basketball as the official state sport on August 8th, 2006. The game of basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith; a Springfield, Massachusetts teacher.
State Recreation & Team Sport - Volleyball
Massachusetts designated volleyball as the official recreational and team sport of the Commonwealth on July 31, 2014.