New Jersey – The Garden State

New Jersey is a densely populated state in the center of the Northeast megalopolis, which is home to more than 50 million people. It is bordered by the Hudson River, Upper New York Bay, Newark Bay, and the Kill Van Kull on the north and northeast; by the Atlantic Ocean on the east; and by Pennsylvania across the Delaware River on the west.

A cosmopolitan, industrialized state with a long history of social reform, the Garden State is known for its highly diverse population and a legacy of progressive political, economic, and social reforms. New Jersey is also home to numerous major professional sports teams, including the New York Giants, Brooklyn Nets, and Newark Devils in the National Basketball Association, as well as the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York City FC in Major League Soccer.

In the 17th century, New Jersey was a hub of American colonists seeking independence from Britain. In 1776, the British Army was defeated at the Battle of Trenton, one of the first victories in the Revolutionary War. In 1787, New Jersey was the third state to ratify the U.S Constitution and the first to approve the Bill of Rights.

During World War II, more than 560,000 New Jerseyans served in the military. The state’s economy grew during the war years, with agricultural and industrial production playing an important role in the war effort. Many factories in the state won the Army-Navy “E” Award for excellence in producing wartime materials.

Following the war, New Jersey’s leaders set in motion a series of laws aimed at improving living conditions and increasing opportunities for all citizens. A constitutional amendment strengthened the office of governor and streamlined the state’s convoluted judicial system. The state adopted laws that prohibited racial segregation in public schools and in the National Guard, a progressive move that presaged the civil rights movement. The state also made it legal for labor unions to organize and bargain collectively.

In the modern era, New Jersey is a leader in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as in the manufacturing of electronics, chemicals, and fabricated metal products. It is also a leading producer of salt, granite, sand and gravel for the construction industry. The state is a popular tourist destination, and its famous residents include U.S president Grover Cleveland (the only New Jersey native to become President), author Judy Blume, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and singer Frank Sinatra.

The state’s legislature is bicameral, with a Senate and Assembly. The governor, elected on a ticket with a lieutenant governor, appoints all members of the executive cabinet and judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts. The current governor is Phil Murphy, a Democrat. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of a majority of the membership of the state senate. Justices are given seven-year terms and can be reappointed to serve until age 70.