We just learned about the US state of Maryland.
Massachusetts is a state on the east coast of the US, right on the Atlantic Ocean.
It's nicknames are: The Bay State, The Old Colony State and The Codfish State.
It's mottos are: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem which means by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Massachusetts_in_United_States.svg/640px-Massachusetts_in_United_States.svg.png)
(from: wikipedia - massachusetts)
The flag of Massachusetts is mostly white, with the blue state seal in the middle.
The state seal has a Native American on it, holding a spear pointed downward meaning peace.
There is an arm holding a sword above the seal, to remind people that we had to fight for our country's freedom.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Flag_of_Massachusetts.svg/800px-Flag_of_Massachusetts.svg.png)
(from: wikipedia - flag of massachusetts)
Two of the best universities in the world are in Boston, Harvard and MIT.
![harvard university](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/HarvardWidenerLibrary.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - harvard university)
Massachusetts was one of the first places the travelers to America landed to build their homes, after sailing on ships like the Mayflower.
![mayflower](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Mayflower_in_Plymouth_Harbor%2C_by_William_Halsall.jpg/640px-Mayflower_in_Plymouth_Harbor%2C_by_William_Halsall.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - mayflower)
A famous writer named Henry David Thoreau went to live in a cabin on a pond called Walden Pond, where he wrote a famous book called Walden about simple living in simple surroundings.
![walden pond](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Walden_Pond.jpg/599px-Walden_Pond.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - walden pond)
There have been 4 presidents who were born in Massachusetts.
John Adams, the 2nd president from 1789 to 1797
![john adams](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_%281735-1826%29%2C_2nd_president_of_the_United_States%2C_by_Asher_B._Durand_%281767-1845%29-crop.jpg/382px-US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_%281735-1826%29%2C_2nd_president_of_the_United_States%2C_by_Asher_B._Durand_%281767-1845%29-crop.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - john adams)
John Quincy Adams, the 6th president from 1825 to 1829
![john quincy adams](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/John_Quincy_Adams_-_copy_of_1843_Philip_Haas_Daguerreotype.jpg/346px-John_Quincy_Adams_-_copy_of_1843_Philip_Haas_Daguerreotype.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - john quincy adams)
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president from 1953 to 1960
![jfk](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/John_F._Kennedy%2C_White_House_color_photo_portrait.jpg/401px-John_F._Kennedy%2C_White_House_color_photo_portrait.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - john f. kennedy)
George H. W. Bush, the 41st president from 1989 to 1993
![george h. w. bush](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/George_H._W._Bush%2C_President_of_the_United_States%2C_1989_official_portrait.jpg/416px-George_H._W._Bush%2C_President_of_the_United_States%2C_1989_official_portrait.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - george h. w. bush)
Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Jordan