Known for being the first state to adopt the Bill of Rights, new jersey is a diverse and prosperous American state with many popular tourist destinations.
The land that would become New Jersey was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Lenape for more than 12,000 years before Europeans settled there. In the 1630s, Dutch, Swedish and Finnish settlers built towns in what became part of New Netherland. In 1702, the proprietors of East and West Jersey surrendered their civil authority to the Crown and the colony was consolidated into one.
As ideas around inalienable rights gained popularity during the American Revolution, new jerseyans began to demand independence from Britain. During the war, the state was home to more battles than any other American territory. In 1776 George Washington crossed the Delaware River at Trenton and defeated British forces, marking a turning point in the war. Today, visitors can visit the site where this historic event took place at the Washington Crossing State Park.
After the war, New Jersey’s economy thrived as it became a hub for industry and agriculture. The state was rich in resources such as granite, sand and gravel for mining; it was also an important producer of seafood such as clams. The state was also a leader in glass production.
In the 19th century, industrialization continued in New Jersey as factories opened up in southern and northern parts of the state. Today, New Jersey is a leader in manufacturing and has a thriving biotech and pharmaceutical sector.
The state has a diverse population thanks to immigration from throughout the world. The largest groups are whites, Asians and Latinos/Hispanics. Immigrants from Europe continue to flock to the state, but the number of new arrivals from Central and South America, Africa and Asia has risen significantly since the 1960s. These immigrants have helped New Jersey to maintain its reputation as a bastion of cultural diversity.
During the Great Depression, a large number of New Jerseyans left their homes to work for the Works Progress Administration and other projects as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous New Deal. Their efforts benefited the state and left an enduring mark on its landscape, including erecting 199 bridges, building 47 dams, and planting over 21 million trees.