1788 » Celebrate and Learn

Happy Birthday, New York!

Events

Jul 262025

New York Flag

New York became the eleventh state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Giovanni de Verrazano entered New York Bay in 1524. In 1609 Henry Hudson explored the area. Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island from the Indians in 1625 and named the colony New Amsterdam. In 1664 the British attacked and won the territory. They renamed the land New York, after the Duke of York. The state’s nickname is the “Empire State,” and the capital is Albany. New York, New York continues to be a leading power in commerce and industry.

United States Capital Was Established Temporarily in New York in 1788

Events

Sep 132025

United States capital was established temporarily in New York in 1788 by the Constitutional Convention. The city remained the capital until August 12, 1790. The capital moved back to Philadelphia before it finally moved to Washington, DC. The United States capital actually resided in nine locations before remaining in Washington, DC.

Maryland in 1788 Donated Ten Square Miles of Land to the United States

Events

Dec 232025

Map of Nation’s Capital (Residence Act)

Maryland in 1788 donated ten square miles of land to the United States. This land became part of the District of Columbia. Our Founding Fathers wanted to establish a new capital, rather than use an existing city such as New York or Philadelphia. The Residence Act gave George Washington the authority to decide where to locate the new nation’s capital. The Maryland land was in about the middle of the country at that time. Children can view the documents that made the District of Columbia possible at: District of Columbia.

Happy Birthday, Georgia!

Events

Jan 022026

Georgia State Flag

Georgia became the fourth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Although one of Georgia’s nicknames is The Peach State, the crops of peanuts and tobacco each bring in more revenue than peaches. Cotton, which was a very important source of revenue 100 years ago, now generates a little more than one percent of the state’s income. Atlanta is the state capital. Georgia ranks 24th in area and eighth in population. Idea: Children could make and enjoy a simple peach cobbler.

Happy Birthday, Connecticut!

Events

Jan 092026

Connecticut State Flag

Connecticut became the fifth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. The state’s name means, “beside the long tidal river.” Connecticut is forty-eighth in size, but it is the twenty-ninth most populous state. Hartford is the state capital, but Bridgeport is the state’s largest city. Idea: The state’s song is Yankee Doodle. Children could play the song on kazoos.

Australia Was Founded in 1788 (Australia Day Is National Holiday)

Events

Jan 262026

Flag of Australia

Australia was founded in 1788. It may be the smallest continent, but it is the sixth largest country. Aborigines settled in Australia at least 40,000 years ago. The Dutch were the first Europeans to explore the area, and they called the continent New Holland. However, Captain James Cook declared in 1770 that the land belonged to Great Britain. Australia became a penal colony when 700 prisoners were transported there in 1788. Gold was discovered in 1851. It became a commonwealth in 1901. Idea: Australia is home to many marsupials. Children could research some of these animals and then make a play where Captain Cook explores Australia and finds these animals. Children could also learn more at: Australia.

Happy Birthday, Massachusetts!

Events

Feb 062026

Massachusetts State Flag

Massachusetts became the sixth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. The word Massachusetts means, “at or about the great hill.” The state ranks forty-fifth in size and thirteenth in population. Its state beverage is cranberry juice. They could toast Massachusetts’s birthday with cranberry juice.

Happy Birthday, Maryland!

Events

Apr 282026

Maryland State Flag

Maryland became the seventh state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Maryland ranks 42nd in size and 19th in population. Annapolis is the state capital, and the state’s nicknames include Old Line State and Free State. It is famous for crab cakes and its Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Children could visit a website at: Maryland. They could find out how Maryland, Baltimore, and Annapolis got their names.

Happy Birthday, South Carolina!

Events

May 232026

South Carolina State Flag

South Carolina became the eighth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. It was named in honor of King Charles II. “Carolus” is Latin for Charles. Columbia is the state capital. South Carolina ranks 23rd in population and 40th in area. Its nickname is the Palmetto State, and its leading sources of income are tobacco, rice, and textiles. Children could visit an internet site at: South Carolina. They could also find out what a palmetto is.

Happy Birthday, New Hampshire!

Events

Jun 212026

New Hampshire Flag

New Hampshire became the ninth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. It was named after the English county Hampshire. The capital is Concord, and its motto is “Live Free or Die.” It ranks forty-fourth in area and forty-second in population. Mt. Washington, located in New Hampshire, is the tallest peak in New England. Martin Pring traveled its coast in 1603, and Samuel de Champlain explored the area in 1604. Children could visit an Internet site at: New Hampshire.

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