FRIENDS of JUSTICE: Happy Birthday, New Jersey!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Happy Birthday, New Jersey!

Today is the anniversary of the day New Jersey ratified the Constitution, becoming the third member of these United States of America.
Date of Admittance:December 18, 1787

Parentage: The name "New Jersey" is another example of the uniquely American idea of going someplace and naming it after your hometown by throwing a "New" in front of it. In this case, the state was named after the British island of Jersey.

Place in the Family

Number 3

Pennsylvania beat NJ by a few days (12-12-87)

and was quickly followed by Georgia (1-2-88).

Oddly enough, however, NJ is NOT the last state in the month of December

Motto

"Liberty & Prosperity"

Definitely has an American Revolution ring to it, eh?

Nick-Name

The Garden State

Believe it or not, New Jersey has plenty of beautiful parks and beaches. The image of "the poor man's New York" was popularized by....you guessed it...New Yorkers.

On the License Plate

"The Garden State"

State Flag

A "buff" colored banner with the state seal in the center.

I have seen some images in yellow and some in brown. "Buff" refers to hides, so the flag should be a light leather color. I bet you didn't know that!

First City You Probably Think of

When You Think "New Jersey"

Newark

Actual State Capital:Trenton

State Size (Area) is 47th of 50
Population is closer to 9th of 50

(per 2000 Census figures)

New Jersey Sports:
NFL (New York Giants)*

NFL (New York Jets)*

*(although the teams' names are "New York,"
both teams' home stadium is in New Jersey)

NHL (New Jersey Devils)

Anybody From New Jersey
Ever Grow Up To Be President?
Yes.

President Grover Cleveland is unique in US history because he is the only man to be elected to two NON-consecutive terms! He was elected as No. 22, then lost to No. 23 Benjamin Harrison, then came back and was re-elected, officially as No. 24!