Connecticut

Connecticut

Flag of Connecticut

Admittance Order: 5th

Admitted to US: January 9, 1788 (237 years ago)

Governor: Ned Lamont (D)

Lt. Governor: Susan Bysiewicz (D)

Senators: Richard Blumenthal (D) Chris Murphy (D)

Representatives: 5 Democrats

Official State website

Capital: Hartford

Largest city: Bridgeport

Resource Guide: RL-CT

Connecticut is the southernmost state in the New England region of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it has the highest per-capita income, the second-highest level of human development behind Massachusetts, and highest median household income in the United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its capital is Hartford and its most populous city is Bridgeport. Historically the state is part of New England as well as the tri-state area with New York and New Jersey. The state is named for the Connecticut River, which approximately bisects the state. The word "Connecticut" is derived from various anglicized spellings of "Quononoquett" (Conanicut), a Mohegan-Pequot word for "long tidal river".

Connecticut's first European settlers were Dutchmen who established a small, short-lived settlement called Fort Hoop in Hartford at the confluence of the Park and Connecticut Rivers. Half of Connecticut was initially claimed by the Dutch colony New Netherland, which included much of the land between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. However, the first major settlements were established in the 1630s by the English. Thomas Hooker led a band of followers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded the Connecticut Colony; other settlers from Massachusetts founded the Saybrook Colony and the New Haven Colony. The Connecticut and New Haven colonies established documents of Fundamental Orders, considered the first constitutions in America. In 1662, the three colonies were merged under a royal charter, making Connecticut a crown colony. Connecticut was one of the Thirteen Colonies which rejected British rule in the American Revolution.

Connecticut is the third smallest state by area, the 29th most populous, and the fourth most densely populated of the fifty states. It is known as the "Constitution State," the "Nutmeg State," the "Provisions State," and the "Land of Steady Habits." It was influential in the development of the federal government of the United States (see Connecticut Compromise). The Connecticut River, Thames River, and ports along Long Island Sound have given Connecticut a strong maritime tradition that continues today. The state also has a long history of hosting the financial services industry, including insurance companies in Hartford County and hedge funds in Fairfield County.

Entymology

The word "Connecticut" is derived from various anglicized spellings of "Quononoquett" (Conanicut), a Mohegan-Pequot word for "long tidal river".

Sexual Orientation

Connecticut has a significant and diverse LGBTQ+ population, with various studies and reports shedding light on its demographics and the challenges faced by this community. Here's an overview:

Estimated Population: Approximately 5.6% of adults in the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown metropolitan area identify as LGBTQ+, totaling around 49,000 individuals. Wikipedia

Same-Sex Households: According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Connecticut had 7,760 married same-sex couple households (3,432 male couples and 4,328 female couples) and 4,881 unmarried same-sex couple households. Wikipedia

Demographic Insights:

In 2005, about 19% of same-sex couples in Connecticut were raising children under the age of 18, with an estimated 3,140 children living in such households. Wikipedia

Economic Disparities: LGBTQ+ adults in Connecticut disproportionately report more difficulty affording basic needs, having lower household incomes, and are more likely to face housing insecurity compared to the cisgender heterosexual population.

Healthcare Access: LGBTQ+ adults in Connecticut were at least two times more likely to not get medical care when needed, despite experiencing a higher burden of need.

Access to Mental Health Care: 52% of LGBTQ+ youth in Connecticut who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.

Legal Protections and Policies Connecticut is recognized for its strong legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. The state has comprehensive nondiscrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity, bans on conversion therapy for minors, and policies supporting LGBTQ+ youth in schools.

While Connecticut has made significant strides in supporting its LGBTQ+ community through progressive laws and policies, disparities in economic stability, healthcare access, and mental health persist. Continued efforts are essential to address these challenges and promote equity for all LGBTQ+ residents.

History of the Connecticut Flag

The Connecticut State Flag features a vibrant blue background. The central feature of the flag is a white shield that includes three grapevines (each grapevine has three bunches of purple grapes). Below the shield is a white banner printed with the state motto, "Qui Trastulit Sustinet," which translates to "He who translated still sustains." The three grapevines on the shield have dual symbolism; they represent religion, liberty, and knowledge, as well as the three earliest colonies in the state: Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield.

Abby Day Slocomb was the wife of Confederate Capt. Cuthbert H. Slocomb. After his death, Abby moved to a house across the street from Fort Griswold in 1888 and, in 1893, founded the Anna Warner Bailey Chapter of the "Daughters of the American Revolution." In her role as the founder of the organization, she hosted many gatherings and ceremonies and was outraged that Connecticut did not have an official state flag. The Daughters of the American Revolution, led by Slocumb, created several designs and lobbied the state legislature to adopt a state flag.

Slocumb prevailed when the Connecticut State Flag was introduced in 1895 by Governor Owen Vincent Coffin and was officially adopted on September 9th, 1897. The design was derived from the submissions of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A print of the original submission is currently on display at the Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Museum, which Slocomb was also instrumental in creating.

Connecticut is named after the Connecticut River; the name is derived from the Algonquian word "quinatucquet," which translates to "at the long estuary." Connecticut is nicknamed the "Constitution State" as it is home to the first written constitution, "The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut," which is said to have served as one of the inspirations for the US constitution.

The first Native American tribes to inhabit the area were the Mohegan, Pequot, and Niantic, while the first European to arrive in the area was Dutch explorer Adriaen Block in 1614. British settlers soon began arriving in the area, and the first settlement was established in 1633, turning the area into a British colony. After the Revolutionary War, Connecticut was the fifth state to be ratified.

Connecticut is located in the northeastern New England region of the United States of America. It borders Long Island Sound, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The state is conveniently positioned near all of the major industrial cities on the East Coast of the United States. Its capital city, Hartford, is located in the center of the state. Connecticut is rectangular-shaped with a panhandle that reaches southwest toward the New York border. Though Connecticut is the third smallest state in the country, it has an extremely dense population, with over 3.5 million people calling the state home. Today, the state is known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and convenient access to all major northeastern cities.

Wikipedia article: Connecticut

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