On Jan. 9, 1788, Connecticut became the fifth American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Connecticut earned the nickname “The Constitution State” for its role in adopting the 1639 “Fundamental Orders of Connecticut” — among the first governing documents to recognize that the people are the foundation of public authority and to establish a system in which citizens elect their own officials. The document is widely regarded as an early influence for the U.S. Constitution.
“That’s one of the most wonderful things about Connecticut,” said Connecticut Rep. Corey Paris, who represents the 145th District and is a 2025 CSG Toll Fellow. “Although we’re a state with large variations of political ideologies and beliefs, we believe strongly in individual freedoms and in empowering people to participate in democracy.”
The third-smallest state by land area — larger only than Delaware and Rhode Island — Connecticut ranks fourth among states in population density, behind New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with more than 750 residents per square mile. Part of Connecticut’s population appeal is due to its proximity to New York City, but the state offers so much more than that, Paris said.
“You can drive from the top of our state all the way to the bottom in around two-and-a-half hours,” Paris said. “But don’t let that fool you because our state’s biodiversity is second to none. We have coastal offerings with great fishing and boating. We have great hiking and stargazing in the woods in the northwest and places like Washington Depot. And we have extensive downtown scenes in our cities like Bridgeport and New Haven. It really is one of the beautiful things about our state: You can do just about anything you want to, and I love that you can be there in a very short period of time.”
The state also is an economic powerhouse. The city of Hartford is widely known as the “Insurance Capital of the World” for its large number of insurers. The state’s insurance and financial services sectors employ roughly 100,000 people and represent one of Connecticut’s largest industries.
“Hartford deserves a lot of recognition for its work fostering innovation,” Paris said. “Thanks to names like Travelers, The Hartford and Aetna, the city is the epicenter of where a lot of great industries and entrepreneurship was born in our state. And it’s home to more than 150 insurance companies.”
Connecticut also boasts strong maritime ties. The state is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the Mystic Seaport Museum, the nation’s largest maritime museum, featuring historic vessels including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. Nearby, the Mystic Aquarium houses hundreds of marine species.
“It’s a great place,” Paris said. “And if you want to see some of the most rambunctious and cutest seals in the state, that’s where you’ll find them.”
Connecticut also is the home state for some of the nation’s most recognized artists, sports figures and brands. Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, Diana Ross, Jackie Robinson, John Mayer, the Carpenters and Michael Bolton are all from Connecticut.
ESPN, the world’s first 24/7 sports cable network, launched in 1979 in Bristol, where it still maintains its headquarters today. And the Pez Candy Company opened its only U.S. factory in Orange in 1973, where it continues to produce more than 12 million of the tablet-size treats every day.
“For kids, that’s probably the biggest thing they want to visit,” Paris added with a laugh. “Because I think everyone, at least at some point in their life, has owned a Pez dispenser. It’s an essential part of childhood.”
From its early influence on the foundations of American democracy to its continued impact on culture, industry and public life, Connecticut has played an outsized role in shaping the story of the United States.
