Whether they have longstanding family roots here or simply come to visit, millions of people make new jersey their home each year. From the renowned universities and cultural institutions to the beaches and forests, the state has much to offer residents and visitors alike.
Known as “The Garden State,” New Jersey is also famous for its rich agricultural history. The first permanent colony in the United States, it became a hub for innovative agricultural technology and production of high-value crops like fruit and vegetables. Its fertile soil and waterways made it a prime location for farming and shipping.
It was during this period that the State Constitution of 1776 was adopted. Among the 56 Founding Fathers who signed this document, five were from New Jersey: John Witherspoon, Richard Stockton, Francis Hopkinson, Thomas Hart and Abraham Clark. After the Revolution, New Jersey remained at the forefront of American industry. Several of the country’s leading industrial companies were founded in the state, including glass and tin manufacturers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. In addition, the state was the cradle of American innovation with the creation of Edison’s early light bulbs and phonographs.
By the turn of the twentieth century, immigrants from southern and eastern Europe flocked to the state in large numbers. They brought with them a wealth of cultural traditions, religious customs and languages. These traditions continue to thrive in New Jersey today.
In the modern era, new jersey has maintained its status as one of the most densely populated states in the country. The state has an estimated population of more than 50 million and is the center of a Northeast megalopolis that includes New York City, the nation’s largest metro area.
The state’s unique geographic features, such as the Pine Barrens and the Atlantic Coastal Plain, have created diverse ecosystems. New Jersey is home to national parks and wildlife refuges that preserve natural beauty and provide opportunities for recreation.
In recent times, new jersey has enacted landmark civil rights legislation and made great strides in economic development for all. For example, the state was the first to establish a constitutionally-protected right to vote for women. It also desegregated its schools and its National Guard, taking progressive steps toward equality years before the civil rights movement swept across the country.
New Jerseyans are proud of their heritage and have a strong sense of community. They are a creative, resilient and resourceful people. This is evidenced by the fact that their boroughs and towns have produced many of America’s most famous and accomplished individuals, from U.S. president Grover Cleveland and astronaut Buzz Aldrin to actress Judy Blume and singer Frank Sinatra. In the future, the people of New Jersey will continue to work together to ensure that the state remains a place where all can succeed. This will require collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to take risks in the face of adversity. Then, as now, the state will flourish. “Fuggedaboutit.” — A classic Jersey phrase, implying dismissal or disbelief, made famous by TV shows like The Sopranos.