Massachusetts is named after the Massachusett tribe that inhabited the area of present-day Greater Boston. The Pilgrim Fathers who sailed on the Mayflower established the first permanent settlement in 1620 at Plymouth Colony which set precedents but never grew large.

Feb 15, 2020 · Massachusetts is a state rich in history. Its geological history dates back millions of years while its native population has lived in the area for over 10,000 years. Explorers, fishermen and traders first started visiting New England around the 15th and 16th centuries.

Mar 27, 2025 · Prior to 1685 there were two separate colonies within the boundaries of present-day Massachusetts. The area around Plymouth and Cape Cod, settled by the Pilgrims, was known as Plymouth colony, or the Old Colony. By the …

Nov 9, 2009 · One of the original 13 colonies and one of the six New England states, Massachusetts (officially called a commonwealth) is perhaps best known for being the landing place of the Mayflower and the...

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society is an invaluable resource for American history, life, and culture. Its extraordinary collections tell the story of America through millions of rare and unique documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable national treasures. etc.

Timeline of important dates and major events in the history of Massachusetts. Illustrated list of events and people from our today in history archives.

This section includes articles on the early explorers to Massachusetts, the Great Puritan Migration, the Mayflower, Plymouth Colony, the First Thanksgiving, Massachusetts Bay Colony, the New England Confederation, the Dominion of New England, King Philip’s War and the …

Nov 30, 2023 · Massachusetts has a long and proud history of being a leader in the United States. It was the first state to create a public school system, pass laws protecting workers’ rights, and become the first U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage.

The first two centuries of Massachusetts history can be broken down into six somewhat arbitrary and overlapping but nonetheless recognizable and significant periods: the era of the colonies of Plymouth Plantation and Massachusetts Bay (1620–1691), the period of royal government and colonial wars (1685–1763), the Revolutionary era (1761 ...

6 days ago · Massachusetts - Revolution, Statehood, History: The opening shots of the American Revolutionary War at the Battles of Lexington and Concord—where the Massachusetts militia known as the minutemen faced their first battle—initiated a new order in Massachusetts and its sister provinces.