By Janice C.

The Minuteman

• During the American Revolution, many civilians living in Massachusetts were called to fight the British. minute’s notice.”

• The minuteman statue • They were called “minutemen” because

they had to ready in a “in the 900-acre Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts commemorates the minutemen’s role in some of the major battles in the American Revolution.

Nicknames

• Massachusetts has several nicknames.

• Early settlers gave the nickname of the “Bay State” because of its closeness to several major bays.

• Another nickname for Massachusetts is the “Old Colony State,” referring to the Pilgrim colony.

The Flags• There are three official flags of Massachusetts; the

State flag, the “Naval Flag,” and the Governor’s Flag.

• On the State flag, there is a blue shield on a white background. The blue shield is emblazoned with an image of a Native American, Massachuset, holding a bow and an arrow. He holds a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. The arrow is pointing downward to represent peace. The white star represents Massachusetts as one of the original thirteen states. Around the shield is a blue ribbon with the motto: " By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty".

• Massachusetts is the only state to have a “Naval Flag”, even if it doesn’t have a navy of its own. There is a green pine tree on a white background.

• The Governor’s Flag is the same design as the State Flag, except it is shaped like a pennant.

More Information at…

• http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinNews/50sq/2000/ma.cf

• http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf1a.htm