New Jersey has a rich and varied history, from its earliest settlements through to the development of modern industry and high-tech companies. Its diverse population, religious traditions and cultural customs have shaped the state. The state has a strong tradition of representative self-government, with the Governor of New Jersey and the General Assembly as its elected legislative branches.
The state’s agrarian roots linger throughout the New Jersey landscape. The colonial era saw a rise in the commercialization of agriculture, with the development of towns and cities, including Newark on the Hudson River, Elizabeth and New Brunswick. Commercial ports such as Burlington on the Delaware River and Perth Amboy on the Raritan River served as key shipping routes to major urban centers in Philadelphia and New York.
At the end of the eighteenth century, New Jersey became one of the most industrialized states in the nation and a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. Located near the port of New York, its factories were vital to the nation’s economy. As the agrarian economy gave way to industrialization, urbanization and a growing population made New Jersey a model for progressive political and social agendas. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, New Jersey delegate William Paterson proposed that the Constitution should provide for a bicameral legislature with an upper house Senate and lower House of Assembly. This proposal was ultimately enacted in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, New Jersey led the way in civil rights with the desegregation of schools and military service – steps that came well before the Civil Rights Movement. The state’s constitutional law also established that workers had the right to organize and collectively bargain.
In the modern era, New Jersey’s demographic diversity has continued to reshape the state’s culture. The population of New Jerseyans of Hispanic and Latino/a descent has grown dramatically since the 1960s, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a center of cultural diversity. New Jersey is a state of immigrants and a pioneer in social, economic, and political change.
New Jersey is home to many well-known public institutions, from the Statue of Liberty to the historic Newark Liberty International Airport. New Jerseyans are also known for their contributions to American culture and entertainment. For example, singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi, from Sayreville, became famous for his 1980s hard rock music with the band Bon Jovi. The band has written many songs about New Jersey, including the hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” New Jersey is also well known for its sports teams. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets. The state has also produced a number of professional baseball and basketball players, including the current stars of the New York Yankees and Philadelphia 76ers. New Jersey’s beaches and scenic landscape have also drawn many visitors. New Jersey is often referred to as the “Garden State.” The state’s nickname is derived from its rich soil, which makes it an ideal place for agricultural and horticultural endeavors.