Connecticut History Guide

The Connecticut region was inhabited by Native Americans prior to Europern colonization. The Mohegan tribe from the Alonquian family survives even today. Pequot is another important tribe that lived in that period. The natives referred to this land as Quinnetukut, which is believed to mean "Place of the Long River".

Dutchman Adriaen Block was the first to explore the Connecticut Valley in 1614, but never permanently settled there. In 1633, English colonists came from Massachusetts to settle Windsor, the first permanent settlement in Connecticut. Together with settlements in Wethersfield and Hartford they united to form the Connecticut Colony in 1636. The settlers were Puritans from Massachusetts, led by Thomas Hooker. Hooker had been prominent in England, and was a professor of theology at Cambridge. He was also an important political writer, and made a significant contribution to Constitutional theory. The third colony was founded in March of 1638. New Haven Colony, (originally known as the Quinnipiack Colony), was established by John Davenport, Theophilus Eaton and others at New Haven. The New Haven Colony had its own Constitution, 'The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony' which was signed on 4 June 1639.

The Pequot War began in 1636. In 1637, the colonists defeated the Pequots with help from Uncas, a Pequot leader that sided with the colonists. The New Haven Colony settled along the Long Island Sound. In 1665, this colony and the Connecticut Colony joined together by charter from the king of England.

Rising taxes and restricted trade led to the Revolutionary War in 1775. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, leaders from Connecticut played an important role in the Great Compromise. The Constitution of the United States was written and the Declaration of Independence approved. Connecticut became the 5th state in 1788.

Connecticut played a significant role in the American Revolution. A reported 42,500 of its men served in the army, and one of its bravest, Nathan Hale, (America's first spy) was captured by the British, and prior to being hanged, proclaimed the memorable words, "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Connecticut abolished slavery in 1848, when the plight of black slaves in the southern states was a growing controversial issue. That moral dispute between the northern and southern states peaked, and in 1861, America's Civil War began. Connecticut played a prominent role in the Revolutionary War, serving as the Continental Army's major supplier. Sometimes called the "Arsenal of the Nation," the state became one of the most industrialized in the nation.

During the 1800s, Eli Whitney invented mass production manufacturing. Connecticut grew famous for its factories and the many immigrants that came to work in them. In 1910, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy moved to New London. During both World Wars, Connecticut's factories were an important supplier of airplane parts, submarines, guns, clothing, and food.

Connecticut has continued to develop new technology. In 1954, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine was built and launched at Groton. In 1968, a nuclear energy plant began to operate at Haddam Neck to provide electric power. In 1969, astronauts used oxygen and other supplies from backpacks made in Connecticut.

With idyllic living conditions for workers and close proximity to New York City, southwestern Connecticut boomed in the latter part of the 20th century, as major Fortune 500 corporations (including defense contractors) moved into the state.

Today, Connecticut factories produce weapons, sewing machines, jet engines, helicopters, motors, hardware and tools, cutlery, clocks, locks, silverware, and submarines. Hartford has the oldest U.S. newspaper still being published (the Hartford Courant, established 1764) and is the insurance capital of the nation.

Connecticut leads New England in the production of eggs, pears, peaches, and mushrooms, and its oyster crop is the nation's second largest. Poultry and dairy products also account for a large portion of farm income.

Connecticut Famous People

• Ethan Allen (1738 - 1789) American Revolutionary soldier; Born in Litchfield.
• Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) A captain of the Colonial Army turned British spy.  He is famous for burning down the town of New London; since then, his name has meant ?traitor;? born in Norwich.
• Phineas T. Barnum (1810 - 1891) One founder of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus; born in Bethel.
• Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) Author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; lived in Hartford.
• Samuel Colt (1814 - 1862) Inventor and founder of the Colt firearm company; born in Hartford.
• Charles Goodyear (1800 - 1860) Inventor of vulcanized rubber; born in New Haven.
• Ella Grasso (1919 - 1981) The first woman to be elected governor of a state; born in Windsor Locks.
• Dorothy Hamill (1956 - ) Olympic gold medallist and professional ice skater with the Ice Capades; grew up in Riverside.
• Nathan Hale (1755 -1776) A martyr soldier of the American Revolution; born in Coventry.
• Katharine Hepburn (1907 - ) Famous actress who won four Academy Awards for best actress; born in Hartford.
• Mary Kies, The first woman to receive a US patent, received on May 15^th, 1809 for a method of weaving straw with silk; from South Killingly.
• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908 - 1972) Congressman; born in New Haven.
• Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 - 1896) Author of Uncle Tom?s Cabin; born in Litchfield.
• Noah Webster (1758 - 1843) Author of the first dictionary published in 1807; from West Hartford.