Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{other uses}}
{{Coord|41.6|N|72.7|W|region:US-CT_type:adm1st_scale:1000000|display=title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox U.S. state
|Name = Connecticut
|Fullname = State of Connecticut
|Flag = Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Seal = Seal of Connecticut.svg
|Flaglink = [[Flag of Connecticut|Flag]]
|Map = Connecticut in United States (zoom).svg
|Nickname = {{plainlist|
* The Constitution State (official)
* The Nutmeg State
* The Provisions State
* The Land of Steady Habits}}
|Motto = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Qui transtulit sustinet]]'' ([[Latin]])
* He who transplanted still sustains<ref name=SOTS/>}}
|StateAnthem = [[Yankee Doodle]]
|Former = Connecticut Colony
|Capital = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]<ref>{{cite web |title=General Description and Facts |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://portal.ct.gov/about/}}</ref>
|LargestMetro = [[Greater Hartford]]<ref>{{cite report |title=Table B-1. Metropolitan Areas – Area and Population |work=State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2006 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |date=July 2006 |url=http://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2006/compendia/smadb06/tableB/all-tabB.pdf}}</ref> |
|LargestCity = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 Population Estimate |website=[[American FactFinder]] |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6gpGlyhlr?url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |archivedate=April 17, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
|Demonym = {{plainlist|
* Connecticuter<ref>{{Cite journal|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |title=Style Manual |year=2000 |at=§5.23 |url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831023726/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ |archivedate=August 31, 2008 }}</ref>
* Connecticutian<ref>{{cite web|title= Connecticutian |work=Merriam-Webster Online |url=http://nws.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/newword_search.php?word=Connecticutian |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Nutmegger]]<ref>{{cite web | work=eReference Desk |title=State Resident's Names |url=http://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-name/resident-names.html |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>}}
Yankee {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}
|Governor = [[Dannel Malloy|Dannel P. Malloy]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Lieutenant Governor = [[Nancy Wyman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Legislature = [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]
|Upperhouse = [[Connecticut Senate|Senate]]
|Lowerhouse = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|Senators = [[Richard Blumenthal]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<br>[[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Christopher S. Murphy]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Representative = 5 Democrats
|PostalAbbreviation = CT
|OfficialLang = None
|AreaRank = 48th
|TotalArea = 14,357
|TotalAreaUS = 5,567
|LandArea = 12,559
|LandAreaUS = 4,849
|WaterArea = 1,809
|WaterAreaUS = 698
|PCWater = 12.6
|PopRank = 29th
|2010Pop = 3,576,452 (2016 est.)<ref name=PopHousingEst>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates |date=June 22, 2017 |accessdate=June 22, 2017|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
|DensityRank = 4th
|2000Density = 285
|2000DensityUS = 739
|MedianHouseholdIncome = $72,889<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/median-annual-income/?currentTimeframe=0|work=The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation|title=Median Annual Household Income|accessdate=December 9, 2016}}</ref>
|IncomeRank = 4th
|AdmittanceOrder = 5th
|AdmittanceDate = January 9, 1788
|TimeZone = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] [[Eastern Time Zone|−5]]/[[Eastern Daylight Time|−4]]
|Longitude = 71°08′ W to 73°72′ W
|Latitude = 40°98′ N to 42°04′ N
|Width = 113
|WidthUS = 70
|Length = 177
|LengthUS = 110
|HighestPoint = [[Massachusetts]] border on south slope of [[Mount Frissell]]<ref name=USGS>{{cite web|title=Highest and Lowest Elevations |website=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |year=2001 |url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109183109/http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archivedate=November 9, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name=NAVD88>Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]].</ref>
|HighestElev = 725
|HighestElevUS = 2,379
|MeanElev = 150
|MeanElevUS = 500
|LowestPoint = [[Long Island Sound]]<ref name=USGS/><ref name=NAVD88 />
|LowestElev = 0
|LowestElevUS = 0
|ISOCode = US-CT
|TradAbbreviation = Conn.
|Website = www.ct.gov
}}
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
<!-- Sources:http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ct_symb.htm-->
|Name =Connecticut
|Flag =Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Flagsize =175px
|Seal =Seal of Connecticut.svg
|Bird =[[American robin]]
|Insect =[[Praying mantis]]
|Fish =[[American shad]]
|Flower =[[Kalmia latifolia|Mountain laurel]]
|Tree =[[Quercus alba|White oak]]
|Gemstone =[[Garnet]]
|Motto =''[[Qui Transtulit Sustinet]]'' (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains.)
|Song ="[[Yankee Doodle]]"
|Route marker =Connecticut_Highway_2.svg
|Quarter =1999_CT_Proof.png
|Quarter release date = 1999
}}
'''Connecticut''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Connecticut.ogg|k|ə|ˈ|n|ɛ|t|ᵻ|k|ə|t}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connecticut |title=Connecticut |website=Dictionary.com |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvMGho?url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connecticut |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> is the southernmost [[U.S. state|state]] in the [[New England]] region of the [[northeastern United States]]. As of the 2010 Census, Connecticut features the highest per-capita income, [[Human Development Index]] (0.962), and [[Household income in the United States|median household income in the United States]].<ref>{{cite news |date=November 29, 2005 |title=Highest wages in East, lowest in South |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-29-wage_x.htm |first=Stephen |last=Ohlemacher |accessdate=April 30, 2010 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvtVNF?url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-29-wage_x.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Median Household Income |date=2013 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6gpGlyhlr?url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |archivedate=April 17, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 17, 2008 |title=US slips down development index |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkxLjnC?url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Connecticut is bordered by [[Rhode Island]] to the east, [[Massachusetts]] to the north, [[New York (state)|New York]] to the west, and [[Long Island Sound]] to the south. Its capital is [[Hartford]] and its most populous city is [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]. Although Connecticut is technically part of New England, it is often grouped along with [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New Jersey]] as the [[Tri-state area]]. The state is named for the [[Connecticut River]], a major U.S. river that approximately bisects the state. The word "Connecticut" is derived from various anglicized spellings of an [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] word for "long tidal river".<ref>{{cite book|last=Trumbull|first=James Hammond|title=Indian Names of Places, Etc., in and on the Borders of Connecticut: With Interpretations of Some of Them|year=1881 |location=Harford, Connecticut |publisher=Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company |url={{google books|JS8TAAAAYAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=60}} |page=60}}</ref>
Connecticut is the [[List of U.S. states and territories by area|third smallest]] state by area,<ref name="census table 18">{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=Table 18, Area Measurements: 2010; and Population and Housing Unit Density: 1990 to 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2012 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |p=41 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> the [[List of U.S. states and territories by population|29th most populous]],<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=Table 19, Population by Urban and Rural and Type of Urban Area: 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2012 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |p=42 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> and the [[List of U.S. states by population density|fourth most densely populated]]<ref name="census table 18"/> of the [[50 United States]]. It is known as the "[[Connecticut#Constitutional history|Constitution State]]", the "[[Nutmeg]] State", the "Provisions State", and the "Land of Steady Habits".<ref name=SOTS/> It was influential in the development of the [[federal government of the United States]]. Much of southern and western Connecticut (along with the majority of the state's population) is part of the [[New York metropolitan area]]; three of Connecticut's eight counties are statistically included in the [[New York metropolitan area#Components of the metropolitan area|New York City combined statistical area]], which is widely referred to as the [[Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT)|Tri-State area]]. Connecticut's center of population is in [[Cheshire, Connecticut|Cheshire]], [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven County]],<ref name=NGS>{{cite web |url=http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/COP/ct_links.htm |title=State of Connecticut Center of Population |website=Center of Population Project |publisher=National Geodetic Survey |accessdate=January 30, 2009 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvhYPB?url=http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/COP/ct_links.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> which is also located within the Tri-State area.
Connecticut's first European settlers were [[Dutch (ethnic group)|Dutch]]. They established a small, short-lived settlement in present-day Hartford at the confluence of the [[Park River (Connecticut)|Park]] and [[Connecticut River|Connecticut]] rivers called [[Fort Hoop|Huys de Goede Hoop]]. Initially, half of Connecticut was a part of the Dutch colony [[New Netherland]], which included much of the land between the Connecticut and [[Delaware River|Delaware]] rivers. The first major settlements were established in the 1630s by England. [[Thomas Hooker]] led a band of followers overland from the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] and founded what became the [[Connecticut Colony]]; other settlers from Massachusetts founded the [[Saybrook Colony]] and the [[New Haven Colony]]. The Connecticut and New Haven Colonies established documents of [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]], considered the first constitutions in North America. In 1662, the three colonies were merged under a [[royal charter]], making Connecticut a [[crown colony]]. This colony was one of the [[Thirteen Colonies]] that revolted against British rule in the [[American Revolution]].
The Connecticut River, [[Thames River (Connecticut)|Thames River]], and ports along the Long Island Sound have given Connecticut a strong [[wikt:Maritime|maritime]] tradition which continues today. The state also has a long history of hosting the [[financial services]] industry, including [[insurance]] companies in Hartford and [[hedge fund]]s in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]].
==Geography==
{{further information|Geology of Connecticut|Geology of New England}}
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Landmarks and Cities of Connecticut" widths="120" heights="120">
File:BridgeportCityHall.jpg|[[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]
File:New Haven from East Rock.jpg|[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
File:Hartford Connecticut Skyline.JPG|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
File:StamfordCTRRstaLookingNE11112007.jpg|[[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]
File:NewLondon 2016 Cropped.jpg|[[New London, Connecticut|New London]]
File:Willimantic.JPG|[[Willimantic, Connecticut|Willimantic]]
File:Amtrak's Thames River Bridge.jpg|[[Gold Star Bridge]] and [[Amtrak Thames River Bridge]]
File:Highest Point here.JPG|[[Mount Frissell]], the highest point in the state
File:LakeMcdonoughFromTunxisTrail.jpg|[[Barkhamsted, Connecticut#Notable locations|Lake McDonough]] reservoir as seen from the [[Tunxis Trail|Tunxis Trail Overlook Spur]] trail.
File:Connecticut River, Connecticut LCCN2012631727.tif|The [[Connecticut River]] near [[Connecticut Route 82]]
</gallery>
Connecticut is bordered on the south by [[Long Island Sound]], on the west by [[New York (state)|New York]], on the north by [[Massachusetts]], and on the east by [[Rhode Island]]. The state capital and third largest city is [[Hartford]], and other major cities and towns (by population) include [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]], [[New Haven]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], and [[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]. Connecticut is slightly larger than the country of [[Montenegro]]. There are 169 [[New England town|incorporated towns]] in Connecticut.[[File:Map of Connecticut NA cropped.png|275x275px|thumb|Map of Connecticut]]
The highest peak in Connecticut is [[Bear Mountain (Connecticut)|Bear Mountain]] in [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]] in the northwest corner of the state. The highest point is just east of where Connecticut, [[Massachusetts]], and New York meet (42° 3' N; 73° 29' W), on the southern slope of [[Mount Frissell]], whose peak lies nearby in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite peakbagger |pid=7083 |name=Mount Frissell-South Slope, Connecticut/Massachusetts}}</ref> At the opposite extreme, many of the coastal towns have areas that are less than 20 feet (6 m) above sea level.
Connecticut has a long maritime history and a reputation based on that history—yet the state has no direct oceanfront (technically speaking). The coast of Connecticut sits on [[Long Island Sound]], which is an [[estuary]]. The state's access to the open Atlantic Ocean is both to the west (toward New York City) and to the east (toward the "race" near Rhode Island). This situation provides many safe harbors from ocean storms, and many transatlantic ships seek anchor inside Long Island Sound when [[tropical cyclones]] pass off the upper East Coast.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}
The [[Connecticut River]] cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound. The most populous metropolitan region centered within the state lies in the [[Connecticut River Valley]]. Despite Connecticut's relatively small size, it features wide regional variations in its landscape; for example, in the northwestern [[Litchfield Hills]], it features rolling mountains and horse farms, whereas in areas to the east of New Haven along the coast, the landscape features coastal [[marsh]]es, [[beach]]es, and large scale maritime activities.
{{further information|List of Connecticut rivers}}
Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities such as Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, located along the coastal highways from the New York border to New London, then northward up the Connecticut River to Hartford. Many towns in northeastern and northwestern Connecticut center around a [[village green|green]], such as the Litchfield Green, Lebanon Green (the largest in the state), and Wethersfield Green (the oldest in the state). Near the green typically stand historical visual symbols of [[New England]] towns, such as a white [[church (building)|church]], a [[colonial meeting house]], a colonial [[tavern]] or [[inn]], several [[American colonial architecture|colonial houses]], and so on, establishing a scenic historical appearance maintained for both [[historic preservation]] and tourism. Many of the areas in southern and coastal Connecticut have been built up and rebuilt over the years, and look less visually like traditional New England.
The northern boundary of the state with Massachusetts is marked by the Southwick Jog or Granby Notch, an approximately {{convert|2.5|mile|km}} square detour into Connecticut. The origin of this anomaly is clearly established in a long line of disputes and temporary agreements which were finally concluded in 1804, when southern [[Southwick, Massachusetts|Southwick's]] residents sought to leave Massachusetts, and the town was split in half.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southwickma.org/Public_Documents/SouthwickMA_WebDocs/southwick_jog.pdf |title=The Southwick Jog |last=Dodge |first=Edward R. |website=Town of Southwick, Massachusetts |access-date=October 25, 2015 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5p1plFeFC?url=http://www.southwickma.org/Public_Documents/F000102F9/S00476B50-00476B5B.0/The%20Southwick%20Jog.pdf |archivedate=April 16, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cslib.org/jog.htm |title=Connecticut's Southwick Jog |publisher=Connecticut State Library |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkzcI4A?url=http://www.cslib.org/jog.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
The southwestern border of Connecticut where it abuts New York State is marked by a [[panhandle]] in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]], containing the towns of [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]], [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], and parts of [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] and [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]]. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of [[History of Connecticut#Territorial disputes|territorial disputes]] in the late 17th century, culminating with New York giving up its claim to the area, whose residents considered themselves part of Connecticut, in exchange for an equivalent area extending northwards from [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]] to the Massachusetts border, as well as undisputed claim to [[Rye (town), New York|Rye, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cslib.org/panhandle.htm |title=Connecticut's "Panhandle" |website=Connecticut State Library |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKl03gYx?url=http://www.cslib.org/panhandle.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
{{further information|Connecticut panhandle}}
Areas maintained by the [[National Park Service]] include [[Appalachian National Scenic Trail]], [[Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor]], and [[Weir Farm National Historic Site]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut |website=National Park Service |accessdate=July 15, 2008 |url=http://www.nps.gov/state/ct/index.htm}}</ref>
{{Rivers of Connecticut}}
{{Mountains of Connecticut}}
{{Waterbodies of Connecticut}}
{{Islands and Peninsulas of Connecticut}}
===Climate===
[[File:CT koeppen.png|300px|thumb|left|Köppen climate types in Connecticut]]
[[File:Barndoor Hills original.JPG|thumb|Scenery upon [[Barndoor Hills]] in [[Granby, Connecticut|Granby]] in autumn]]
[[File:EH 2001 snow.jpg|thumb|Winter in [[East Haven, Connecticut|East Haven]]]]
Much of Connecticut has a [[humid continental climate]], with cold winters with moderate snowfall and mild, humid summers. Far southwestern coastal Connecticut has a milder humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and warmer winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow. Most of Connecticut sees a fairly even precipitation pattern with rainfall/snowfall spread throughout the 12 months. Connecticut averages 56% of possible sunshine, averaging 2,400 hours of [[sunshine]] annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-annual-sunshine-map.htm |title=United States Annual Sunshine Map |website=HowStuffWorks |accessdate=March 15, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429042722/http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-annual-sunshine-map.htm |archivedate=April 29, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
Early spring (April) can range from slightly cool to warm, while mid and late spring (May/early June) is warm. By mid June, the building [[Bermuda High]] creates a southerly flow of warm and humid tropical air, bringing hot weather conditions throughout the state, with average highs in New London of {{convert|81|F|C}} and {{convert|85|F|C}} in Windsor Locks at the peak of summer in late July. Although summers are sunny in Connecticut, quick moving summer thunderstorms can bring brief downpours with thunder and lightning. Occasionally these thunderstorms can be severe, and the state usually averages one tornado per year.<ref name="tornadoes">{{cite web |url= http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif | title=Annual average number of tornadoes| publisher=NOAA National Climatic Data Center |format=[[GIF]] |accessdate=October 24, 2006}}</ref> During hurricane season, the remains of tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region, though a direct hit is rare.
Fall type weather (cooler days and nights, fewer air masses thundershowers) starts in October and normally lasts to the first days of December. Daily high temperatures in October and November range from the 50's to 60's F with nights in the 40's and upper 30's F (November). Colorful foliage begins across northern parts of the state in late September and moves south and east reaching southeast Connecticut by early November. Far southern and coastal areas however have more oak and hickory trees (and fewer maples), and are often less colorful than areas to the north. By early December average overnight lows are below freezing across the entire state.
Winters (December through mid March) are generally cold from south to north in Connecticut. The coldest month (January) has average high temperatures ranging from {{convert|38|F|C}} in the coastal lowlands to {{convert|33|F|C}} in the inland and northern portions on the state. The average yearly snowfall ranges from about {{convert|60|in|mm}} in the higher elevations of the northern portion of the state to only {{convert|20-25|in|mm}} along the southeast coast of Connecticut (Branford to Groton). Generally, any locale north or west of [[Interstate 84 (Pennsylvania–Massachusetts)|Interstate 84]] receives the most snow, during a storm, and throughout the season. Most of Connecticut has less than 60 days of snow cover. Snow usually falls from late November to late March in the northern part of the state, and from early December to mid March in the southern and coastal parts of the state.
Connecticut's warmest temperature is {{convert|106|F|C}} which occurred in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] on July 15, 1995; the coldest temperature is {{convert|-32|F|C}} which occurred in the Northwest Hills [[Falls Village, Connecticut|Falls Village]] on February 16, 1943, and [[Coventry, Connecticut|Coventry]] on January 22, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/extremes/scec/getextreme.php?elem=ALL&state=CT| title = All-Time Climate Extremes for CT|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"|Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures for Various Connecticut Cities
|-
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000; height:17px;"| City
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jan
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Feb
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Mar
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Apr
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| May
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jun
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jul
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Aug
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Sep
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Oct
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Nov
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Dec
|-
! style="background:#f8f3ca; color:#000; height:16px;"| Bridgeport
| style="text-align:center; background:#0ff; color:#000;"| 37/23
| style="text-align:center; background:#0fe; color:#000;"| 39/25
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffae; color:#000;"| 47/32
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff5e; color:#000;"| 57/41
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f1; color:#000;"| 67/51
| style="text-align:center; background:#4f0; color:#000;"| 76/60
| style="text-align:center; background:#7f0; color:#000;"| 82/66
| style="text-align:center; background:#6eff00; color:#000;"| 81/65
| style="text-align:center; background:#3f0; color:#000;"| 74/58
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff2f; color:#000;"| 63/46
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff7b; color:#000;"| 53/38
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffd4; color:#000;"| 42/28
|-
! style="background:#c5dfe1; color:#000; height:16px;"| Hartford
| style="text-align:center; background:#00d9ff; color:#000;"| 35/16
| style="text-align:center; background:#00f7ff; color:#000;"| 39/19
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffc3; color:#000;"| 47/27
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff62; color:#000;"| 59/38
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff08; color:#000;"| 70/48
| style="text-align:center; background:#4f0; color:#000;"| 79/57
| style="text-align:center; background:#73ff00; color:#000;"| 84/63
| style="text-align:center; background:#62ff00; color:#000;"| 82/61
| style="text-align:center; background:#1aff00; color:#000;"| 74/51
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff48; color:#000;"| 63/40
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f9; color:#000;"| 52/32
| style="text-align:center; background:#00fff7; color:#000;"| 40/22
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/06604 |title=Monthly Averages for Bridgeport, CT |publisher = [[The Weather Channel]] |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/06604 |title=Monthly Averages for Hartford, CT |publisher=[[The Weather Channel]] |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref>
|}
===Flora===
{{main|Flora of Connecticut}}
{{see also|List of Connecticut tree species}}
Forests consist of a mix of [[Northeastern coastal forests]] of Oak in southern areas of the state, to the upland [[New England-Acadian forests]] in the northwestern parts of the state. Mountain Laurel ([[Kalmia latifolia]]) is the state flower, and is native to low ridges in several parts of Connecticut. Rosebay Rhododendron ([[Rhododendron maximum]]) is also native to eastern uplands of Connecticut and [[Pachaug State Forest]] is home to the Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail. Atlantic white cedar ([[Chamaecyparis thyoides]]), is found in wetlands in the southern parts of the state. Connecticut has one native cactus ([[Opuntia humifusa]]), found in sandy coastal areas and low hillsides. Several types of beach grasses and wildflowers are also native to Connecticut.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Olson |first1=David M. |last2=Dinerstein |first2=Eric |last3=Wikramanayake |first3=Eric D. |display-authors=etal |title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth |journal=[[BioScience]] |year=2001 |volume=51 |issue=11 |pages=933–938 |url=http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/51/11/933 |doi=10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2 |issn=0006-3568}}</ref>. Connecticut spans [[USDA Plant Hardiness Zones]] 5b to 7a. Coastal Connecticut is the broad transition zone where more southern and subtropical plants are cultivated. In some coastal communities, [[Magnolia grandiflora]] (southern magnolia), [[Lagerstroemia indica|Crape Myrtles]], scrub palms ([[Sabal minor]]), and other broadleaved evergreens are cultivated in small numbers.{{Citation needed|reason=Since CT is far outside the native distribution, a reference is needed to support that this is happening in large enough numbers|date=July 2017}}
==History==
{{Main article|History of Connecticut}}
[[File:Ctcolony.png|thumb|370px|A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies]]
===Early history===
The name Connecticut is derived from anglicized versions of the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] word that has been translated as "long tidal river" and "upon the long river",<ref name="Project">{{cite book |author=Federal Writers' Project |title=Connecticut: A Guide to Its Roads, Lore and People |url={{google books|CPYfSsQ-WE4C|page=3|plainurl=yes}} |accessdate=September 23, 2010 |publisher=US History Publishers |isbn=978-1-60354-007-0 |orig-year=1938 |page=3}}</ref> referring to the [[Connecticut River]]. The Connecticut region was inhabited by multiple [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] tribes before European settlement and colonization, including the [[Mohegan people|Mohegans]], the [[Pequot people|Pequots]], and the [[Golden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation|Paugusetts]].<ref>"[http://www.cslib.org/tribes.htm Connecticut Native American Tribes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927185519/http://www.cslib.org/tribes.htm |date=September 27, 2013 }}", Connecticut State Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014. </ref>
=== Colonial Connecticut ===
The first European explorer in Connecticut was Dutch explorer [[Adriaen Block]].<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Varekamp|first2=Daphne|date=Spring–Summer 2006|title=Adriaen Block, The Discovery of Long Island Sound and the New Netherlands Colony: What Drove the Course of History?|url=http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/springsummer06/block.pdf|journal=Wrack Lines|publisher=Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, [[University of Connecticut]]|volume=6|issue=1|access-date=May 16, 2014|last1=Varekamp|first1=Johan|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231223638/http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/springsummer06/block.pdf|archivedate=December 31, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After he explored this region in 1614, Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River (then known by the Dutch as Versche Rivier, "Fresh River") and built a fort at Dutch Point in present-day Hartford, which they called "House of Hope" ({{lang-nl|Huis van Hoop}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1614.htm|title=1614 Adriaen|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The Connecticut Colony was originally a number of separate, smaller settlements at present-day Windsor, Wethersfield, Saybrook, Hartford, and New Haven. The first English settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor, and then at Wethersfield the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/earlysettlers.htm|title=Early Settlers of Connecticut|publisher=Connecticut State Library|accessdate=July 25, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420061052/http://www.cslib.org/earlysettlers.htm|archivedate=April 20, 2010}}</ref> [[John Winthrop the Younger]] of Massachusetts received a commission to create a new colony at [[Saybrook Colony|Saybrook]] at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saybrookhistory.org/web_page.php?id=13|title=Brief History of Old Saybrook|website=Old Saybrook Historical Society|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. They were [[Puritan]]s from Massachusetts, led by [[Thomas Hooker]], who established the [[Connecticut Colony]] at Hartford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1636.htm|title=1636-Hartford|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> The Quinnipiack Colony<ref>{{cite book|url={{google books|wmdJAAAAMAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=176}}|title=New Englander and Yale Review|date=1887|publisher=W.L. Kingsley|volume=47|pages=176–177|editor-last2=Kingsley|editor-first2=William Lathrop|editor-last3=Fisher|editor-first3=George Park|editor-last4=Dwight|editor-first4=Timothy|display-editors=3|editor-first1=Edward Royall|editor-last1=Tyler}}</ref> was established by [[John Davenport (clergyman)|John Davenport]], [[Theophilus Eaton]], and others at present-day New Haven in March 1638. The New Haven Colony had its own constitution, "The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony", which was signed on June 4, 1639.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/ct01.asp|title=Fundamental Agreement, or Original Constitution of the Colony of New Haven, June 4, 1639|website=The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy|publisher=Yale Law School|accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The settlements were established without official sanction of the English Crown; each was an independent political entity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colonialwarsct.org/1638_new_haven.htm|title=1638 - New Haven - The Independent Colony|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> They naturally were presumptively English but, in a legal sense, they were only secessionist outposts of Massachusetts Bay or expansions from Plymouth Colony. In 1662, Winthrop traveled to England and obtained a charter from [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] which united the settlements of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1662.htm|title=1662-Charter for Connecticut|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Historically important colonial settlements included [[Windsor, Connecticut|Windsor]] (1633), [[Wethersfield, Connecticut|Wethersfield]] (1634), [[Deep River, Connecticut|Saybrook]] (1635), [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] (1636), [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] (1638), [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]] (1639), [[Guilford, Connecticut|Guilford]] (1639), [[Milford, Connecticut|Milford]] (1639), [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]] (1639), [[Farmington, Connecticut|Farmington]] (1640), [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]] (1641), and [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] (1646).
The Pequot War marked the first major clash between Colonial settlers and Indians in New England. The [[Pequot people|Pequots]] reacted with increasing aggression to Colonial settlements in their territory, while simultaneously taking lands from the [[Narragansett people|Narragansett]] and [[Mohegan Indian Tribe|Mohegan]] tribes. Settlers responded to a murder in 1636 with a raid on a Pequot village on [[Block Island]]; the Pequots laid siege to Saybrook Colony's garrison that autumn, then raided Wethersfield in the spring of 1637. Colonists declared war on the Pequots, organized a band of militia and allies from the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes, and attacked a Pequot village on the [[Mystic River (Connecticut)|Mystic River]], with death toll estimates ranging between 300 and 700 Pequots. After suffering another major loss at a battle in [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], the Pequots asked for a truce and peace terms.<ref>{{cite book|url={{google books|YHVwmVKjhaoC|plainurl=yes|page=31}}|title=America's Beginnings: The Dramatic Events that Shaped a Nation's Character|last=Williams|first=Tony|date=2010|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-0487-4|pages=32–34}}</ref>
The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. The [[Treaty of Hartford (1650)|Hartford Treaty]] with the Dutch was signed on September 19, 1650, but it was never ratified by the British. According to it, the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich Bay]] for a distance of {{convert|20|mile|km}},<ref name="BOWEN">{{cite book |last=Bowen |first=Clarence Winthrop |url={{google books|XJUNAAAAQAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=17}} |title=The Boundary Disputes of Connecticut |date=1882 | publisher=James R. Osgood and Company | place=Boston | pages=17–18}}</ref><ref name="FLICK">{{cite book |editor-first=Alexander C. |editor-last=Flick |title=History of the State of New York |volume=2 |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |year=1933 |pages=50–57}}</ref> "provided the said line come not within {{convert|10|mi|km}} of Hudson River."<ref name="BOWEN"/><ref name="FLICK"/> This agreement was observed by both sides until war erupted between England and The Netherlands in 1652. Conflict continued concerning colonial limits until the [[James II of England|Duke of York]] captured [[New Netherland]] in 1664.<ref name="BOWEN"/><ref name="FLICK"/>
On the other hand, Connecticut's original Charter in 1662 granted it all the land to the "South Sea"—that is, the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite web |website=A Chronology of US Historical Documents |url=http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/colony.shtml |title=Connecticut Colony Charter of 1662 |publisher=University of Oklahoma, College of Law |date=March 14, 2006 |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> Most Colonial royal grants were for long east-west strips. Connecticut took its grant seriously and established a ninth county between the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] and [[Delaware River|Delaware]] rivers named [[Westmoreland County, Connecticut|Westmoreland County]]. This resulted in the brief [[Pennamite Wars]] with [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1769.htm |title=1769- The Pennamite Wars |website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Yale College was established in 1701, providing Connecticut with an important institution to educate clergy and civil leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yale.edu/about-yale/traditions-history|title=Traditions & History|website=Yale University|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The Congregational church dominated religious life in the colony and, by extension, town affairs in many parts.<ref>{{cite book|title=Connecticut: A History|last=Roth|first=David M.|date=1979|publisher=W.W. Norton & Co|isbn=978-0-3933-3174-5|location=New York|pages=40–41}}</ref>
====The American Revolution====
[[File:LowsCTmap.jpeg|thumb|250px|A 1799 map of
Connecticut which shows [[The Oblong]]. From [[Low's Encyclopaedia]].
]]
Connecticut designated four delegates to the [[Second Continental Congress]] who signed the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]: [[Samuel Huntington (statesman)|Samuel Huntington]], [[Roger Sherman]], [[William Williams (Continental Congress)|William Williams]], and [[Oliver Wolcott]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_signers_gallery_facts.pdf |title=Signers of the Declaration of Independence |website=Charters of Freedom |publisher=National Archives |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut's legislature authorized the outfitting of six new regiments in 1775, in the wake of the clashes between British regulars and Massachusetts militia at Lexington and Concord. There were some 1,200 Connecticut troops on hand at the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]] in June 1775.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/academics/military/hillprelim.html |title=Battle of Bunker's Hill Preliminary Study |website=Military Science, Cadet Resources |publisher=Worcester Polytechnic Institute |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
In 1777, the British got word of [[Continental Army]] supplies in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], and they landed an expeditionary force of some 2,000 troops in [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]]. This force then marched to Danbury and destroyed homes and much of the depot. Continental Army troops and militia led by General [[David Wooster]] and General [[Benedict Arnold]] engaged them on their return march at [[Battle of Ridgefield|Ridgefield]] in 1777.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/accountoftryonsr00case#page/n3/mode/2up |last=Case |first=James R. |title=An Account of Tryon's Raid on Danbury in April, 1777 |location=Danbury, Connecticut |date=1927 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
For the winter of 1778–79, General [[George Washington]] decided to split the Continental Army into three divisions encircling [[New York City]], where British General Sir [[Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)|Henry Clinton]] had taken up winter quarters.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Poirier|first1=David A.|title=Camp Reading: Logistics of a Revolutionary War Winter Encampment|journal=Northeast Historical Archaeology|date=1976|volume=5|issue=1|url=http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1326&context=neha&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fq%3D%2522redding%252C%2Bconnecticut%2522%26btnG%3D%26hl%3Den%26as_sdt%3D1%252C7%26as_vis%3D1#search=%22redding%2C%20connecticut%22|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> Major General [[Israel Putnam]] chose Redding as the winter encampment quarters for some 3,000 regulars and militia under his command. The Redding encampment allowed Putnam's soldiers to guard the replenished supply depot in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] and to support any operations along Long Island Sound and the [[Hudson River]] Valley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://putnampark.org/park-history/ |title=Park History |website=Putnam Memorial State Park |access-date=April 27, 2014}}</ref> Some of the men were veterans of the winter encampment at [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]] the previous winter. Soldiers at the Redding camp endured supply shortages, cold temperatures, and significant snow, with some historians dubbing the encampment "Connecticut's Valley Forge".<ref>{{cite book |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Thomas C. |editor1-last=Johnson |editor1-first=James M. |editor2-last=Pryslopski |editor2-first=Christopher |editor3-last=Villani |editor3-first=Andrew |title=Key to the Northern Country: The Hudson River Valley in the American Revolution |date=August 1, 2013 |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |url={{google books|NfADAAAAQBAJ|plainurl=yes|page=241}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015 |chapter=George Washington and the Redding Encampments}}</ref>
The state was also the launching site for a number of raids against Long Island orchestrated by [[Samuel Holden Parsons]] and [[Benjamin Tallmadge]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hall |first1=Charles Samuel |title=Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major-General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789 |year=1905 |publisher=Otseningo Publishing |location=Binghamton, New York |page=110 |url={{google books|llssAAAAMAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=10}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> and provided men and material for the war effort, especially to Washington's army outside New York City. General [[William Tryon]] [[Tryon's raid|raided the Connecticut coast]] in July 1779, focusing on New Haven, Norwalk, and Fairfield.<ref>{{cite book |last=Townshend |first=Charles H. |title=British Invasion of New Haven, Connecticut |location=New Haven, Connecticut |publisher=Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, Printers |date=1879 |url=https://archive.org/stream/britishinvasiono00towniala#page/n3/mode/2up |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> New London and Groton Heights [[Battle of Groton Heights|were raided]] in September 1781 by Benedict Arnold, who had turned traitor to the British.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.hogriver.org/issues/v04n04/benedictarnold.htm |last=Baker |first=Edward |title=Benedict Arnold Turns and Burns New London |work=Hog River Journal |date=Fall 2006 |volume=4 |issue=4 |access-date=May 17, 2014 |archivedate=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713150615/http://www.hogriver.org/issues/v04n04/benedictarnold.htm |dead-url=no}}</ref>
=== 19th century ===
====Early National Period and Industrial Revolution====
Connecticut ratified the U.S. Constitution on January 9, 1788, becoming the fifth state.<ref name="AboutCT"/> The state prospered during the era following the American Revolution, as mills and textile factories were built and seaports flourished from trade<ref>{{cite book |last1=La Bella |first1=Laura |title=Connecticut: Past and Present |date=August 15, 2010 |publisher=[[Rosen Publishing]] |location=New York |page=17 |url={{google books|ZYJtf6CoCs4C|plainurl=yes|page=17}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> and fisheries.
In 1786, Connecticut ceded territory to the U.S. government that became part of the [[Northwest Territory]]. The state retained land extending across the northern part of present-day Ohio called the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]].<ref name="United States Summary 2010, page V-5">{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=User Notes by Table: Table 12 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2010 |page=V-5 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut, and they brought Connecticut place names to Ohio.
Connecticut made agreements with Pennsylvania and New York which extinguished her land claims within those states' boundaries and created the [[Connecticut Panhandle]]. The state then ceded the Western Reserve in 1800 to the federal government,<ref name="United States Summary 2010, page V-5"/> which brought it to its present boundaries (other than minor adjustments with Massachusetts).
The British blockade during the [[War of 1812]] hurt exports and bolstered the influence of Federalists who opposed the war.<ref>{{cite book |first1=James |last1=Boyland |first2=Glenn S. |last2=Gordinier |first3=Meredith |last3=Mason Brown |display-authors=etal |title=The Rockets' Red Glare: The War of 1812 and Connecticut |publisher=New London County Historical Society |date=2012 |isbn=978-0-9853-6240-9}}</ref> The cessation of imports from Britain stimulated the construction of factories to manufacture textiles and machinery. Connecticut came to be recognized as a major center for manufacturing, due in part to the inventions of [[Eli Whitney]] and other early innovators of the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Charles R. |title=The Dawn of Innovation: The First American Industrial Revolution |date=2012 |publisher=[[PublicAffairs]] |page=136 |url={{google books|n97K02J6eQgC|plainurl=yes|page=136}} |isbn=978-1-6103-9049-1 |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
The state was known for its political conservatism, typified by its Federalist party and the Yale College of [[Timothy Dwight IV|Timothy Dwight]]. The foremost intellectuals were Dwight and [[Noah Webster]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Elliott |first1=Emory |title=Revolutionary Writers: Literature and Authority in the New Republic, 1725-1810 |date=1986 |orig-year=1982 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=14 |url={{google books|WmI6avgH0GoC|plainurl=yes|page=14}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> who compiled his great dictionary in New Haven. Religious tensions polarized the state, as the Congregational Church struggled to maintain traditional viewpoints, in alliance with the Federalists. The failure of the [[Hartford Convention]] in 1814 hurt the Federalist cause, with the Republican Party gaining control in 1817.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/shortaccountofha00lyma#page/n1/mode/2up |last=Lyman |first=Theodore |title=A Short Account of the Hartford Convention |date=1823 |location=Boston |publisher=O. Everett, Publisher |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut had been governed under the "[[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]" since 1639, but the state adopted a new constitution in 1818.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/constitutions/1818Constitution.htm |title=The Constitution of Connecticut (1818) |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
====Civil War era====
{{Main article|Connecticut in the American Civil War}}
[[File:View of New London, Connecticut, from the Shore Road.jpg|thumb|View of New London in 1854]]
Connecticut manufacturers played a major role in supplying the Union forces with weapons and supplies during the [[Union (American Civil War)|Civil War]]. The state furnished 55,000 men, formed into thirty full regiments of infantry, including two in the [[U.S. Colored Troops]], with several Connecticut men becoming generals. The Navy attracted 250 officers and 2,100 men, and Glastonbury native [[Gideon Welles]] was Secretary of the Navy. [[James H. Ward]] of Hartford was the first U.S. Naval Officer killed in the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://norwich.typepad.com/museum/2012/08/james-h-ward-first-us-navy-officer-killed-in-the-civil-war.html| title=James H. Ward, First U.S. Navy Officer Killed in the Civil War |website=Sullivan Museum and History Center |publisher=Norwich University |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut casualties included 2,088 killed in combat, 2,801 dying from disease, and 689 dying in Confederate prison camps.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van Dusen |first=Albert E. |title=Connecticut |publisher=Random House |date=1961 |edition=1st |pp=224–238 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Matthew |last=Warshauer |title=Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice, and Survival |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |date=2011 |url={{google books|Ymuv133JwrEC|plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-8195-7139-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=William Augustus |last1=Croffut |first2=John Moses |last2=Morris |author-link2=John Moses Morris |title=The Military and Civil History of Connecticut During the War of 1861–65 |url={{google books|3TUyuhpp9zoC|plainurl=yes}} |year=1869}}</ref>
A surge of national unity in 1861 brought thousands flocking to the colors from every town and city. However, as the war became a crusade to end slavery, many Democrats (especially Irish Catholics) pulled back. The Democrats took a pro-slavery position and included many [[Copperhead (politics)|Copperheads]] willing to let the South secede. The intensely fought 1863 election for governor was narrowly won by the Republicans.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Joanna D. |last=Cowden |title=The Politics of Dissent: Civil War Democrats in Connecticut |journal=New England Quarterly |date=December 1983 |volume=56 |issue=4 |pp=538–554 |DOI=10.2307/365104 |jstor=365104}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Jarlath Robert |last=Lane |title=A Political History of Connecticut During the Civil War |publisher=Catholic University of America Press |date=1941}}</ref>
====Second Industrial Revolution====
[[File:Connecticut1895.jpg|thumb|380px|1895 map from [[Rand McNally]]]]
Connecticut's extensive industry, dense population, flat terrain, and wealth encouraged the construction of railroads starting in 1839. By 1840, {{convert|102|mile|km}} of line were in operation, growing to {{convert|402|mile|km}} in 1850 and {{convert|601|mile|km}} in 1860.<ref>{{cite book |first=Edward Chase |last=Kirkland |title=Men, Cities and Transportation, A Study of New England History 1820–1900 |publisher=Harvard University Press |date=1948 |volume=Vol 2 |pp=72–110, 288–306}}</ref>
The [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]], called the ''New Haven'' or "The Consolidated", became the dominant Connecticut railroad company after 1872. [[J. P. Morgan]] began financing the major New England railroads in the 1890s, dividing territory so that they would not compete. The New Haven purchased 50 smaller companies, including steamship lines, and built a network of light rails (electrified trolleys) that provided inter-urban transportation for all of southern New England. By 1912, the New Haven operated over {{convert|2,000|mile|km}} of track with 120,000 employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/findaids/NHRR_Smallformat/MSS19910133.html |title=New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Small Format Photograph and Postcard Collection |website=Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center |publisher=University of Connecticut Libraries |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921094350/http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/findaids/NHRR_Smallformat/MSS19910133.html |archivedate=September 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
In 1875, the first telephone exchange in the world was established in New Haven.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/the-first-commercial-telephone-exchange-today-in-history/ |title=First Commercial Telephone Exchange |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
=== 20th century ===
====World War I====
When World War I broke out in 1914, Connecticut became a major supplier of weaponry to the U.S. military; by 1918, 80% of the state's industries were producing goods for the war effort.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=The Industrial Northeast: Connecticut |chapter-url={{google books|EP7bDoZcGTIC|plainurl=yes|page=107}} |last=Breen |first=William J. |title=Labor Market Politics and the Great War: The Department of Labor, the States and the First U.S. Employment Service, 1907-1933 |location=Kent, Ohio |publisher=Kent State University Press |date=1997 |page=107 |ref=harv |accessdate=May 29, 2014}}</ref> [[Remington Arms]] in Bridgeport produced half the small-arms cartridges used by the U.S. Army,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/topics-page/world-war-i/ |title=World War I |website=Connecticut History |accessdate=May 28, 2014}}</ref> with other major suppliers including [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] in New Haven and [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] in Hartford.{{sfn|Van Dusen|1961|pp=266-268}}
Connecticut was also an important U.S. Navy supplier, with [[General Dynamics Electric Boat|Electric Boat]] receiving orders for 85 submarines,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |publisher=General Dynamics Electric Boat |accessdate=May 17, 2014}}</ref> [[Lake Torpedo Boat]] building more than 20 subs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/laketorpedo.htm |title=Lake Torpedo Boat Company, Bridgeport CT |website=Shipbuilding History |accessdate=May 28, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714141246/https://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/laketorpedo.htm |archivedate=July 14, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the [[Groton Iron Works]] building freighters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/freighter-worcester-launched-today-in-history/ |title=Freighter Worcester Launched |website=Connecticut History |accessdate=May 28, 2014}}</ref> On June 21, 1916, the U.S. Navy made Groton the site for its East Coast submarine base and school.
The state enthusiastically supported the American war effort in 1917 and 1918, with large purchases of war bonds, a further expansion of industry, and an emphasis on increasing food production on the farms. Thousands of state, local, and volunteer groups mobilized for the war effort and were coordinated by the Connecticut State Council of Defense.<ref>{{cite journal |first=William J. |last=Breen |title=Mobilization and Cooperative Federalism: The Connecticut State Council of Defense, 1917‐1919 |work=Historian |date=1979 |volume=42 |issue=1 |pp=58–84}}</ref> Manufacturers wrestled with manpower shortages; Waterbury's American Brass and Manufacturing Company was running at half capacity, so the federal government agreed to furlough soldiers to work there.{{sfn|Breen|1997|page=116}}
====Interwar period====
In 1919, J. Henry Roraback started the [[Northeast Utilities|Connecticut Light & Power Co.]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Connecticut Light and Power Co. History |work=International Directory of Company Histories |volume=13 |publisher=St. James Press |date=1996 |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/connecticut-light-and-power-co-history/ |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref> which became the state's dominant electric utility. In 1925, [[Frederick Rentschler]] spurred the creation of [[Pratt & Whitney]] in Hartford to develop engines for aircraft; the company became an important military supplier in World War II and one of the three major manufacturers of jet engines in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalaviation.org/rentschler-frederick/ |title=Frederick Rentschler |website=The National Aviation Hall of Fame |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014043025/http://www.nationalaviation.org/rentschler-frederick/ |archivedate=October 14, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
On September 21, 1938, the most destructive storm in New England history struck eastern Connecticut, killing hundreds of people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov/okx/1938HurricaneHome |title=The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 |website=National Weather Service |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The eye of the [[1938 New England hurricane|"Long Island Express"]] passed just west of New Haven and devastated the Connecticut shoreline between Old Saybrook and Stonington from the full force of wind and waves, even though they had partial protection by Long Island. The hurricane caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. In New London, a 500-foot (150 m) sailing ship was driven into a warehouse complex, causing a major fire. Heavy rainfall caused the Connecticut River to flood downtown Hartford and East Hartford. An estimated 50,000 trees fell onto roadways.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/21/nyregion/remembering-the-great-hurricane-of-38.html |title=Remembering the Great Hurricane of '38 |publisher=New York Times |date=September 21, 2003 |accessdate=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
====World War II====
The advent of [[Lend-Lease]] in support of Britain helped lift Connecticut from the Great Depression,<ref>{{cite thesis |url=http://content.library.ccsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ccsutheses/id/1014 |last=Brandi |first=Anthony P. |type=Masters of Arts |title=Lend-lease: FDR's Most Unheralded Achievement and Connecticut's Unprecedented Response to it |publisher=Central Connecticut State University |date=May 2007 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> with the state a major production center for weaponry and supplies used in [[World War II]]. Connecticut manufactured 4.1 percent of total U.S. military armaments produced during World War II, ranking ninth among the 48 states,<ref>{{cite book |author-link1=Whiz Kids (Department of Defense) |last1=Peck |first1=Merton J. |author-link2=Frederic M. Scherer |last2=Scherer |first2=Frederic M. |title=The Weapons Acquisition Process: An Economic Analysis |date=1962 |publisher=[[Harvard Business School]] |p=111}}</ref> with major factories including [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.courant.com/2012-08-19/business/hc-colt-timeline-20120817_1_colt-firearms-firearms-division-rampant-colt |title=Colt Manufacturing: A Timeline |work=Hartford Courant |date=August 19, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> for firearms, [[Pratt & Whitney]] for aircraft engines, [[Vought|Chance Vought]] for fighter planes, [[Hamilton Standard]] for propellers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/topics-page/world-war-ii/ |title=World War II |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> and [[General Dynamics Electric Boat|Electric Boat]] for submarines and PT boats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |website=General Dynamics Electric Boat |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In Bridgeport, General Electric produced a significant new weapon to combat tanks: the bazooka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/the-bazooka-changes-war/ |title=The Bazooka Changes War |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>
On May 13, 1940, [[Igor Sikorsky]] made an untethered flight of the first practical [[helicopter]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/VS-300_Helicopter.php |title=VS-300 Helicopter |website=Sikorsky Archives |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The helicopter saw limited use in World War II, but future military production made [[Sikorsky Aircraft]]'s [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]] plant Connecticut's largest single manufacturing site by the start of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikorsky Aircraft Corp ~ Employer Information |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchDet.asp?intEmpID=144196 |date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
====Post-World War II economic expansion====
Connecticut lost some wartime factories following the end of hostilities, but the state shared in a general post-war expansion that included the construction of highways<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1380&Q=259704 |title=Interstate Highways Given New Life by Federal Aid Highway Acts |website=Department of Transportation |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=September 9, 2003 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> and resulting in middle-class growth in suburban areas.
[[Prescott Bush]] represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate from 1952 to 1963; his son [[George H.W. Bush]] and grandson [[George W. Bush]] both became Presidents of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/The-President-and-Family/The-Bush-Family.aspx |title=The Bush Family |website=George W. Bush Library |publisher=Southern Methodist University |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In 1965, Connecticut ratified its [[Connecticut Constitution|current constitution]], replacing the document that had served since 1818.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/constitutionalAmends/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806024527/http://www.cslib.org/constitutionalAmends/ |archivedate=August 6, 2013 |df=mdy }} "The Connecticut Constitution, 1965–2008: Legislative History of Amendments", Connecticut State Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014.</ref>
In 1968, commercial operation began for the Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in [[East Haddam, Connecticut|East Haddam]]; in 1970, the [[Millstone Nuclear Power Plant|Millstone Nuclear Power Station]] began operations in [[Waterford, Connecticut|Waterford]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gammell |first=Ben |url=http://wnpr.org/post/connecticut-yankee-and-millstone-46-years-nuclear-power |title=Connecticut Yankee and Millstone: 46 Years of Nuclear Power |work=[[WNPR]] |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In 1974, Connecticut elected Democratic Governor [[Ella T. Grasso]], who became the first woman in any state to be elected governor.<ref name=Pumont>{{cite book |first=Jon E. |last=Purmont |title=Ella Grasso: Connecticut's Pioneering Governor |date=2012 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |url={{google books|Pos7XDsZauUC|plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-8195-7344-5}}</ref>
====Late 20th century====
Connecticut's dependence on the defense industry posed an economic challenge at the end of the [[Cold War]]. The resulting budget crisis helped elect [[Lowell Weicker]] as governor on a third-party ticket in 1990. Weicker's remedy was a state income tax which proved effective in balancing the budget, but only for the short-term. He did not run for a second term, in part because of this politically unpopular move.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/gov/weickerl.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324093619/http://www.cslib.org/gov/weickerl.htm |archivedate=March 24, 2014 |df=mdy }} "Lowell Weicker Governor of Connecticut, 1991–1995", Connecticut State Library, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2014.</ref>
In 1992, initial construction was completed on [[Foxwoods Resort Casino|Foxwoods Casino]] at the [[Mashantucket Pequots]] reservation in eastern Connecticut, which became the largest casino in the Western Hemisphere. [[Mohegan Sun]] followed four years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=4107&q=482860 |title=Legalized Gambling |website=Department of Consumer Protection |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
===Early 21st century===
In 2000, presidential candidate [[Al Gore]] chose Senator [[Joe Lieberman]] as his running mate, marking the first time that a major party presidential ticket included someone of the Jewish faith.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Knowlton |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/08/news/08iht-veep.2.t.html |title=Gore's Choice for His Running Mate: Moderate Senator Who Scorned Clinton: Selecting Lieberman Is Seen as Bold Move; Religion May Be Issue |publisher=The New York Times |date=August 8, 2000 |accessdate=May 21, 2014}}</ref> Gore and Lieberman fell five votes short of [[George W. Bush]] and [[Dick Cheney]] in the Electoral College.
In the terrorist [[September 11 attacks|attacks of September 11, 2001]], 65 state residents were killed, mostly [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] residents who were working in the [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Area victims of 9/11 |work=The Advocate |location=Stamford, Connecticut |date=September 9, 2011 |url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Area-victims-of-9-11-2162856.php}}</ref>
In 2004, Republican Governor [[John G. Rowland]] resigned during a corruption investigation, later pleading guilty to federal charges.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/21/connecticut.governor/ |title=Connecticut Governor Announces Resignation |work=CNN |date=June 21, 2004 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/12/23/ex-gov-rowland-pleads-guilty-to-corruption/ |title=Ex-Gov. Rowland Pleads Guilty to Corruption |work=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |date=December 23, 2004 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut was hit by three major storms in just over 14 months in 2011 and 2012, with all three causing extensive property damage and electric outages. Hurricane Irene struck Connecticut August 28, and damage totaled $235 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hurricane-irene-year-storm-cost-15-8-damage-florida-new-york-caribbean-article-1.1145302 |title=Hurricane Irene one year later: Storm cost $15.8 in damage from Florida to New York to the Caribbean |location=New York |work=Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> Two months later, the [[2011 Halloween nor'easter|"Halloween nor'easter"]] dropped extensive snow onto trees, resulting in snapped branches and trunks that damaged power lines; some areas were without electricity for 11 days.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/05-31-2012-ne-outage-report.pdf |title=Report on Transmission Facility Outages During the Northeast Snowstorm of October 29–30, 2011: Causes and Recommendations |publisher=[[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] and [[North American Electric Reliability Corporation]] |date=May 12, 2012 |pages=8–16 |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> Hurricane Sandy had tropical storm-force winds when it reached Connecticut October 29, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/americas/hurricane-sandy-fast-facts/ |title=Hurricane Sandy Fast Facts |work=CNN |date=July 13, 2013 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> Sandy's winds drove storm surges into streets and cut power to 98 percent of homes and businesses, with more than $360 million in damage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/11/16/270954.htm |title=Conn. Gov.: State's Damage From Superstorm Sandy $360M and Climbing |work=Insurance Journal |date=November 16, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
On December 14, 2012, [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting|Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people]] at [[Sandy Hook Elementary School]] in [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]], and then killed himself.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jonathan |last1=Dienst |first2=Shimon |last2=Prokupecz |title=27 Dead, Including 20 Children, in Conn. School Shooting: Police |work=NBC New York |agency=Associated Press |date=December 14, 2012 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Shooting-Reported-at-Connecticut-School-183501531.html}}</ref> The massacre spurred renewed efforts by activists for tighter laws on gun ownership nationally.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Gun Laws Enacted in the Year Since Newtown |work=The New York Times |date=December 10, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/12/10/us/state-gun-laws-enacted-in-the-year-since-newtown.html |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
In the summer and fall of 2016, Connecticut experienced a drought in many parts of the state, causing some water-use bans. As of {{Start date|2016|11|15}}, 45% of the state was listed at Severe Drought by the US Drought Monitor, including almost all of [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford]] and [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]] counties. All the rest of the state was in Moderate Drought or Severe Drought, including [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]], [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[New London County, Connecticut|New London]], [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham]], and [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland]] counties. This affected the agricultural economy in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CT|title=United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor|website=droughtmonitor.unl.edu|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/environment-and-nature/20160917/as-connecticuts-drought-worsens-officials-again-urge-water-conservation|title=As Connecticut's drought worsens, officials again urge water conservation|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Water-Company-Issues-Mandatory-Water-Ban-for-Mystic-Stonington-Customers-393761821.html|title=Water Company Issues Mandatory Water Ban for Parts of CT|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" caption="The 21st century in Connecticut in photos" widths="180" heights="160">
File:President George W. Bush (8003096992).jpg|Republican [[George W. Bush]] was born in Connecticut, winner in the [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] and [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]] presidential elections.
File:UA Flight 175 hits WTC south tower 9-11 edit.jpeg|[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] killed 65 people living in Connecticut.
File:CT Gov John G. Rowland.jpg|Governor [[John G. Rowland]] was arrested for corruption in 2004.
File:Hurricane irene 082811 0832 edt.jpg|[[Hurricane Irene|Tropical Storm Irene]] made landfall in Connecticut in August 2011.
File:2011 Halloween nor'easter Oct 29 2011 1805Z.jpg|The [[2011 Halloween nor'easter|2011 October nor'easter]] caused major snow damage in the state.
File:Hurricane Sandy morning October 29 2012.jpg|Category 1 [[Hurricane Sandy]] made landfall in Connecticut in October 2012, causing [[Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New England#Impact#Connecticut|heavy destruction]].
File:Police at Sandy Hook.PNG|In the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], Adam Lanza killed 20 children and 6 adults.
File:2016 Connecticut Drought Map.png|The [[2016 Connecticut Drought]] affected the agricultural market around the state, causing water limitations to be applied on some towns.
</gallery>
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 237946
|1800= 251002
|1810= 261942
|1820= 275248
|1830= 297675
|1840= 309978
|1850= 370792
|1860= 460147
|1870= 537454
|1880= 622700
|1890= 746258
|1900= 908420
|1910= 1114756
|1920= 1380631
|1930= 1606903
|1940= 1709242
|1950= 2007280
|1960= 2535234
|1970= 3031709
|1980= 3107576
|1990= 3287116
|2000= 3405565
|2010= 3574097
|estimate= 3576452
|estyear= 2016
|footnote=<center>'''Sources:'''<ref name="PopEstUS"/><ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/population/censusdata/table-16.pdf |title=Population: 1790 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=American FactFinder |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
}}
The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimates that the population of Connecticut was 3,590,886 on July 1, 2015, a 0.47% increase since the [[2010 United States Census]].<ref name="PopEstUS">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 26, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
As of 2015, Connecticut had an estimated population of 3,590,886,<ref name="PopEstUS"/> which is an decrease of 5,791, or -0.16%, from the prior year and an increase of 16,789, or 0.47%, since the year 2010. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 67,427 people (that is 222,222 births minus 154,795 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 41,718 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 75,991 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net loss of 34,273 people. Based on the 2005 estimates, Connecticut moved from the 29th most populous state to 30th. 2016 estimates put Connecticut's population at 3,576,452.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk|title=American FactFinder – Results|last=Bureau|first=U.S. Census|website=factfinder.census.gov|language=en|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>
6.6% of its population was reported as being under 5 years old, 24.7% under 18 years old, and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up approximately 51.6% of the population, with 48.4% male.
In 1790, 97% of the population in Connecticut was classified as "rural". The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census, only 12.3% was considered rural. Most of western and southern Connecticut (particularly the [[Gold Coast (Connecticut)|Gold Coast]]) is strongly associated with New York City; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state and has high property costs and high incomes. The [[center of population]] of Connecticut is located in the town of [[Cheshire, Connecticut|Cheshire]].<ref name=NGS/>
[[File:Connecticut population map.png|right|thumb|280px|Connecticut Population Density Map]]
===Population===
As of the [[2010 U.S. Census]], Connecticut's race and ethnic percentages were:
* 77.6% White (71.2% [[Non-Hispanic White]], 6.4% [[White Hispanic]])
* 10.1% Black or [[African American]]
* 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] and [[Alaska Native]]
* 3.8% Asian
* 0.0% [[Native Hawaiian]] and Other [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
* 5.6% from some other race
* 2.6% Two or more races
In the same year Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 13.4% of the population.<ref name=Race2010>{{cite web|title=Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin: 2010 |website=American Fact finder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
The state's most populous ethnic group, Non-Hispanic White, has declined from 98% in 1940 to 71% in 2010.<ref>{{cite report |first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Kay |last2=Jung |date=September 2002 |title=Table 21. Connecticut - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1790 to 1990 |work=Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/REFERENCE/Hist_Pop_stats.pdf |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ '''Connecticut Racial Breakdown of Population'''
|-
! Racial composition !! 1990<ref>{{cite report |first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Kay |last2=Jung |date=September 2002 |title=Table A-1. Race and Hispanic Origin, for the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States: 1990 |work=Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/REFERENCE/Hist_Pop_stats.pdf |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>!! 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Race and Hispanic or Latino: 2000 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>!! 2010<ref name=Race2010/>
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 87.0% || 81.6% || 77.6%
|-
| [[African American|Black]] || 8.3% || 9.1% || 10.1%
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 1.5% || 2.4% || 3.8%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]] || 0.2% || 0.3% || 0.3%
|-
| [[Native Hawaiian]] and<br />[[Pacific Islander|other Pacific Islander]] || – || – || -
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Other race]] || 2.9% || 4.3% || 5.6%
|-
| [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]] || – || 2.2% || 2.6%
|}
As of 2004, 11.4% of the population (400,000) was foreign-born. In 1870, native-born Americans had accounted for 75% of the state's population, but that had dropped to 35% by 1918.
As of 2000, 81.69% of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke English at home and 8.42% spoke Spanish, followed by Italian at 1.59%, French at 1.31% and Polish at 1.20%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=9&mode=state_tops&order=r |title=Most spoken languages in Connecticut |accessdate=January 16, 2007 |work=Language Map |publisher=The Modern Language Association |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5QjXtOOBr?url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results |archivedate=July 31, 2007 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
The largest European ancestry groups are:<ref>{{cite web|work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-tree_id=3308&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=04000US09&-format=&-_lang=en |title=American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates |accessdate=July 25, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804025611/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y |archivedate=August 4, 2010 }}</ref>
* 19.3% [[Italian American|Italian]]
* 17.9% [[Irish American|Irish]]
* 10.7% [[English American|English]]
* 10.4% [[German Americans|German]]
* 8.6% [[Polish American|Polish]]
* 6.6% [[Franco American|French]]
* 3.0% [[French Canadian]]
* 2.7% [[Americans|American]]
* 2.0% [[Scottish American|Scottish]]
* 1.4% [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch Irish]]
[[File:Main Street, Newtown CT.jpg|thumb|left|Main Street, [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]]]]
Connecticut has large [[Italian American]], [[Irish American]] and [[English American]] populations, as well as [[German Americans|German American]] and [[Polish American]] populations, with the Italian American population having the second highest percentage of any state, behind Rhode Island (19.3%). [[Italian American|Italian]] is the largest ancestry group in five of the state's counties, while the [[Irish American|Irish]] are the largest group in Tolland county, [[French Canadians]] the largest group in Windham county. Connecticut has the highest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any state.<ref>{{cite web|title=2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> African Americans and [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanics]] (mostly [[Puerto Ricans in the United States|Puerto Ricans]]) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Connecticut is also known for its relatively large [[Hungarian American]] population, the majority of which live in and around [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Naugatuck, Connecticut|Naugatuck]] and [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]. Connecticut also has a sizable [[Polish American]] population, with [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]] containing the largest [[Polish American]] population in the state.
More recent immigrant populations include those from [[Jamaica]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Mexico]], [[India]], [[Philippines]], [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]], [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Brazil]], [[Panama]], [[Cape Verde]] and former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_1YR_B04003&prodType=table |title=Total Ancestry Reported |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref>
===Birth data===
As of 2011, 46.1% of Connecticut's population younger than age 1 were minorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Americans under age 1 now mostly minorities, but not in Ohio: Statistical Snapshot |last=Exner |first=Rich |date=June 3, 2012 |location=Cleveland, Ohio |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |url=http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/06/americas_under_age_1_populatio.html}}</ref>
[[File:A map showing the majority racial or ethnic group in Connecticut by census block.png|thumbnail|Majority Racial and Ethnic Groups in Connecticut, 2010]]
''Note: Births in table don't add up, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number.''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Live Births by Race/Ethnicity of Mother
|-
! [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Race]]
! 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_01.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2013 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
! 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_12.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2014 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
! 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr66/nvsr66_01.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2013 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[White Americans|White]]:
| 28,454 (78.8%)
| 28,543 (78.7%)
| 28,164 (78.8%)
|-
| <small>[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic White]]
| <small>20,704 (57.4%)
| <small>20,933 (57.7%)
| <small>20,395 (57.1%)</small>
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
| 5,103 (14.1%)
| 5,154 (14.2%)
| 4,988 (14.0%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
| 2,221 (6.2%)
| 2,280 (6.3%)
| 2,497 (7.0%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]]
| 307 (0.9%)
| 308 (0.8%)
| 97 (0.3%)
|-
| ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]'' (of any race)
| ''8,208 (22.7%)''
| ''8,129 (22.4%)''
| ''8,275 (23.1%)''
|-
| '''Total Connecticut'''
| '''36,085''' (100%)
| '''36,285''' (100%)
| '''35,746''' (100%)
|}
===Religion===
The religious affiliations of the people of Connecticut as of 2014:<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/connecticut/] (2014). Religious composition of adults in Connecticut.</ref>
*[[Christianity|Christian]]: 70%
**[[Mainline Protestant]]: 17%
**[[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Protestant]]: 13%
**[[Baptists|Baptist]]: 5%
**[[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]: <1%
**[[Lutheranism|Lutheran]]: <1%
**[[Congregationalist]]: 5%
**[[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]]: 3%
**[[Black church|Historically Black Protestant]]: 5%
**[[Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]]: 33%
**[[Mormons|Mormon]]: 1%
**[[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christian]]: 1%
**Other Christian (includes unspecified "Christian" and "Protestant"): 4%
***[[Restorationism|Restorationist]]: 1%
***[[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]]: 3%
*[[Jews|Jewish]]: 3%
*[[Hindu]]: 1%
*[[Islam|Muslim]]: 1%
*[[Buddhist]]: 1%
*Other religions: 2%
*Non-religious: 23%
**[[Atheism|Atheist]]: 5%
**[[Agnosticism|Agnostic]]: 4%
**Nothing in particular: 14%
A Pew survey of Connecticut residents' religious self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations: Protestant 27%, [[Mormonism]] 0.5%, Jewish 1%, [[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] 43%, Orthodox 1%, [[Non-religious]] 23%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Hinduism 0.5%, Buddhism 1% and Islam 0.5%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religions.pewforum.org/maps|title=Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics – Pew Research Center|date=May 11, 2015|work=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project}}</ref> [[Jewish American|Jewish congregations]] had 108,280 (3.2%) members in 2000.<ref name="www.thearda.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/s/05/rcms2010_05_state_adh_2010.asp |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report |publisher=www.thearda.com |accessdate=November 7, 2013}}</ref> The Jewish population is concentrated in the towns near Long Island Sound between [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] and [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], in [[Greater New Haven]] and in [[Greater Hartford]], especially the suburb of [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]]. According to the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]], the largest Christian denominations, by number of adherents, in 2010 were: the [[Catholic Church]], with 1,252,936; the [[United Church of Christ]], with 96,506; and non-denominational Evangelical Protestants, with 72,863.<ref name="www.thearda.com" />
Recent immigration has brought other non-Christian religions to the state, but the numbers of adherents of other religions are still low. Connecticut is also home to New England's largest Protestant Church: [[The First Cathedral]] in [[Bloomfield, Connecticut]] located in [[Hartford County]]. Hartford is seat to the Roman Catholic [[Archdiocese of Hartford]], which is sovereign over the [[Diocese of Bridgeport]] and the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich|Diocese of Norwich]].
=== Largest cities and towns ===
# [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]], 144,229
# [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], 129,779
# [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], 124,775
# [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], 122,643
# [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], 110,366
# [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], 85,603
# [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], 80,893
# [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], 73,206
# [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]], 63,268
# [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], 61,171
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" caption="The largest cities in the state">
File:PostcardRRstaBridgeportCT1916.jpg|[[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]
File:New Haven.JPG|[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
File:HartfordStreets.jpg|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
File:Stamford2.jpg|[[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]
File:Union Station train depot in Waterbury, Connecticut LCCN2012631621.tif|[[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]]
</gallery>
==Economy==
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
[[File:Welcome Connecticut.jpg|thumb|left|Connecticut state welcome sign in [[Enfield, Connecticut]]]]
The total [[gross state product]] for 2012 was $229.3 billion, up from $225.4 billion in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product by State for Connecticut |url=http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CTNGSP |publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |accessdate=May 15, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut's [[Per capita personal income in the United States|per capita personal income]] in 2013 was estimated at $60,847, the highest of any state.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2014/pdf/spi0314.pdf |title=State Personal Income 2013 |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce |date=March 25, 2014 |accessdate=May 15, 2014}}</ref> There is, however, a great disparity in incomes throughout the state; after New York, Connecticut had the second largest gap nationwide between the average incomes of the top 1 percent and the average incomes of the bottom 99 percent.<ref>{{cite report |first1=Estelle |last1=Sommeiller |first2=Mark |last2=Price |date=February 19, 2014 |title=The Increasingly Unequal States of America: Income Inequality by State, 1917 to 2011 |publisher=The Economic Policy Institute |access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref> According to a 2013 study by Phoenix Marketing International, Connecticut had the third-largest number of millionaires per capita in the United States, with a ratio of 7.32 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |title=Top states for millionaires per capita |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/101338309 |work=CNBC |accessdate=January 22, 2014}}</ref> [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]], [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]] and [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] also have per capita incomes over $65,000. [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] is the poorest municipality in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428 in 2000.<ref name="CTincome2000">{{cite report |title=Connecticut per capita income, median household income, and median family income at State, County and Town level: Census 2000 data |format=[[Microsoft Excel file format|XLS]] |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.ct.gov/ecd/lib/ecd/economic_data/income/2000_median_hh,_family_&_per_cap_income.xls |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Merritt Parkway.jpg|thumb|Entering the Merritt Parkway from New York in [[Greenwich, Connecticut]]]]
The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May 2016 was 5.7 percent, the 41st highest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics|url=http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
===Taxation===
Before 1991, Connecticut had an investment-only [[income tax]] system. Income from employment was untaxed, but income from investments was taxed at 13%, the highest rate in the U.S., with no deductions allowed for costs of producing the investment income, such as interest on borrowing.
In 1991, under Governor [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], an Independent, the system was changed to one in which the taxes on employment income and investment income were equalized at a maximum rate of 4%. The new tax policy drew investment firms to Connecticut; as of 2014, [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] was home to the headquarters for 14 of the 200 largest [[hedge fund]]s in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hfalert.com/documents/FG/hsp/hfa-rankings/459569_Top200Managers.pdf |title=Top 200 Hedge Fund Managers |website=Hedge Fund Alert |subscription=yes}}</ref>
As of 2014, the income tax rates on Connecticut individuals are divided into six tax brackets of 3% (on income up to $10,000); 5% ($10,000-$50,000); 5.5% ($50,000-$100,000); 6% ($100,000-$200,000); 6.5% ($200,000-$250,000); and 6.7% (more than $250,000), with additional amounts owed depending on the bracket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tax-brackets.org/connecticuttaxtable |title=Connecticut Income Tax Brackets |website=Tax-Brackets.org |date=2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
All wages of Connecticut residents are subject to the state's income tax, even if earned outside the state. However, in those cases, Connecticut income tax must be withheld only to the extent the Connecticut tax exceeds the amount withheld by the other jurisdiction. Since New York and Massachusetts have higher tax rates than Connecticut, this effectively means that Connecticut residents that work in those states have no Connecticut income tax withheld. Connecticut permits a credit for taxes paid to other jurisdictions, but since residents who work in other states are still subject to Connecticut income taxation, they may owe taxes if the jurisdictional credit does not fully offset the Connecticut tax amount.
Connecticut levies a 6.35% state [[sales tax]] on the retail sale, lease, or rental of most goods.<ref name="2011Sect6Summary">{{cite web |title=Summary of Tax Provisions Contained in 2011 Conn. Pub. Acts 6 |website=Department of Revenue Services |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1514&Q=480936 |date=June 10, 2011 |accessdate=July 6, 2011}}</ref> Some items and services in general are not subject to sales and use taxes unless specifically enumerated as taxable by [[statute]]. A provision excluding clothing under $50 from sales tax was repealed as of July 1, 2011.<ref name =2011Sect6Summary /> There are no additional sales taxes imposed by local jurisdictions. In August 2013, Connecticut authorized a sales tax "holiday" for one week during which retailers did not have to remit sales tax on certain items and quantities of clothing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kelly |last=Phillips Erb |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/07/17/get-ready-to-shop-state-sales-tax-holidays-are-back/ |title=Get Ready To Shop: State Sales Tax Holidays Are Back! |work=Forbes |date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
All real and personal property located within the state of Connecticut is taxable unless specifically exempted by statute. All assessments are at 70% of [[fair market value]]. Another 20% of the value may be taxed by the local government though. The maximum property tax credit is $300 per return and any excess may not be refunded or carried forward.<ref name="inctax">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2014forms/incometax/ct-1040_booklet.pdf |title=2014 CT-1040 Connecticut Resident Income Tax Return and Instructions |website=Department of Revenue Services |publisher=State of Connecticut |p=31 |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut does not levy an intangible personal [[property tax]]. According to the [[Tax Foundation]], the 2010 Census data shows Connecticut residents paying the 2nd highest average property taxes in the nation with only New Jersey ahead of them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Highest Property Taxes in the Country |work=CNN Money|url=http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/30/pf/taxes/highest_property_taxes/index.htm |date=September 30, 2010 |accessdate=September 30, 2010 |last=Christie |first=Les |location=New York}}</ref>
The Tax Foundation determined Connecticut residents had the third highest burden in the nation for state and local taxes at 11.86%, or $7,150, compared to the national average of 9.8%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taxfoundation.org/state-tax-climate/connecticut |title=Connecticut: The Facts on Connecticut's Tax Climate |website=The Tax Foundation |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
As of 2014, the gasoline tax in Connecticut is 49.3 cents per gallon (the third highest in the nation) and the diesel tax is 54.9 cents per gallon (the highest in the nation).<ref>{{cite news |first1=Alexander E.M. |last1=Hess |first2=Thomas C. |last2=Frohlich |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/20/24-7-wall-st-state-gas-taxes/22056799/ |title=States with the highest (and lowest) gas taxes |work=USA Today |date=January 20, 2015 |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
===Real estate===
Of home-sale transactions that closed in March 2014, the median home in Connecticut sold for $225,000, up 3.2% from March 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewarrengroup.com/2014/05/connecticut-single-family-home-sales-post-modest-increase-in-march/ |title=Connecticut Single-Family Home Sales Post Modest Increase In March |publisher=The Warren Group |location=Boston |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> Connecticut ranked ninth nationally in foreclosure activity as of April 2014, with one of every 887 residential units involved in a foreclosure proceeding, or 0.11% of the total housing stock.,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.realtytrac.com/Content/foreclosure-market-report/april-2014-us-foreclosure-market-report-8059 |title=U.S. Foreclosure Activity Decreases 1 Percent in April Despite 1 Percent Increase in Bank Repossessions |publisher=RealtyTrac |location=Irvine, California |date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> including [[City Place I]] and the [[Travelers Tower|Traveler's Tower]], both housing the major [[Insurance in the United States|insurance]] industry.
===Industries===
Finance and insurance is Connecticut's largest industry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, generating 16.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. Major financial industry employers include [[The Hartford]], [[The Travelers Companies|Travelers]], [[Cigna]], [[Aetna]], [[Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company|Mass Mutual]], [[People's United Bank|People's United Financial]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchTopList.asp?intSort=6 |title=Search Results for the 100 largest employers in Connecticut |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> [[Royal Bank of Scotland]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/RBS-4-800-job-cuts-might-only-scratch-Stamford-2490307.php |title=RBS' 4,800 job cuts might only scratch Stamford operation |work=Connecticut Post |date=January 12, 2012 |accessdate=May 16, 2014 |last=Varnon |first=Rob}}</ref> [[UBS]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Varnon |first=Rob |url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Stamford-could-gain-from-UBS-exit-of-New-York-4493312.php |title=Stamford could gain from UBS exit of New York space |work=Connecticut Post |date=May 6, 2013 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> [[Bridgewater Associates]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/204391481/bridgewater-associates-is-the-world-s-largest-hedge-fund-firm-for-fourth-straight-year-says-institutional-investor-s-alpha |title=Bridgewater Associates is the world's largest hedge fund firm for the fourth straight year says Institutional Investor's Alpha |work=EIN News |date=May 16, 2014 |accessdate=May 28, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114711/http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/204391481/bridgewater-associates-is-the-world-s-largest-hedge-fund-firm-for-fourth-straight-year-says-institutional-investor-s-alpha |archivedate=May 17, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> and [[GE Capital]]. Separately, the real estate industry accounted for an additional 15% of economic activity in 2009, with major employers including [[Realogy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realogy.com/media/pr/show_release.cfm?id=1530 |title=Gov. Malloy: Global Leader in Corporate Relocation Management Services to Expand and Grow Jobs in Danbury |publisher=Realogy |date=April 17, 2014 |accessdate=May 16, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052121/http://www.realogy.com/media/pr/show_release.cfm?id=1530 |archivedate=May 29, 2014 }}</ref> and William Raveis Real Estate.<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor">{{cite web|url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchMain_keywordList.asp |title=Employer List – Search Results: Raveis |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905172918/http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchMain_keywordList.asp |archivedate=September 5, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref>
[[File:HartordBldgsSkyline.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford Skyline]]]]
Manufacturing is the third biggest industry at 11.9% of GDP and dominated by Hartford-based [[United Technologies Corporation]] (UTC), which employs more than 22,000 people in Connecticut.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Brian |last1=Dowling |first2=Kenneth R. |last2=Gosselin |url=http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-26/business/hc-malloy-united-technologies-east-hartford-20140226_1_united-technologies-corp-utc-aerospace-systems-connecticut-home |title=Tax Breaks Encourage United Technologies To Stay In State |work=Hartford Courant |date=February 26, 2014 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> [[Lockheed Martin]] subsidiary [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] operates Connecticut's single largest manufacturing plant in [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]],<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor"/> where it makes helicopters. Other UTC divisions include UTC Propulsion and Aerospace Systems, including jet engine manufacturer [[Pratt & Whitney]] and UTC Building and Industrial Systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.utc.com/Our-Company/Pages/Key-Facts.aspx |title=Our Businesses |website=United Technologies Corp |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Other major manufacturers include the [[Electric Boat]] division of [[General Dynamics]], which makes submarines in [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |publisher=General Dynamics Electric Boat |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> and [[Boehringer Ingelheim]], a pharmaceuticals manufacturer with its U.S. headquarters in [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]].<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor"/>
Connecticut historically was a center of gun manufacturing, and four gun-manufacturing firms continued to operate in the state as of December 2012, employing 2,000 people: [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]], [[Stag Arms|Stag]], [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.|Ruger]], and [[O.F. Mossberg & Sons|Mossberg]].<ref name="NYT122312">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/nyregion/gun-makers-based-in-connecticut-form-a-potent-lobby.html | title=Gun Makers Use Home Leverage in Connecticut | work=The New York Times | date=December 23, 2012 | accessdate=December 24, 2012 | first1=Ray | last1=Rivera | last2=Cowan | first2=Alison Leigh}}</ref> [[Marlin Firearms|Marlin]], owned by [[Remington Arms|Remington]], closed in April 2011.<ref name="Courant010111">{{cite news | url=http://articles.courant.com/2011-04-01/business/hc-marlin-firearms-20110401_1_john-m-marlin-frank-kenna-remington-arms | title=Marlin Firearms Closes In North Haven, Ending 141 Years of Manufacturing In Connecticut | work=Hartford Courant | date=April 1, 2011 | last=Sturdevant | first=Matthew}}</ref>
A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism on December 7, 2006 demonstrated that the areas of the arts, film, history, and tourism generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs annually. This provides $9 billion in personal income for Connecticut residents and $1.7 billion in state and local revenue.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/lib/cct/Econ_Summary_Web2_%282%29.pdf |title=Culture & Tourism: The Economic Impact of the Arts, Film, History, and Tourism Industries in Connecticut (Highlights) |publisher=Commission on Culture and Tourism}}</ref> The [[Foxwoods Resort Casino]] and [[Mohegan Sun]] casino number among the state's largest employers;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchTopList.asp?intSort=6 |title=Search Results for the 25 largest employers in Connecticut |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> both are located on Indian reservations in the eastern part of Connecticut.
<!--- The following is hidden because it is incomprehensible jargon; please do not reinsert this without translating it into sensible language: Nonprofit organizations register in Connecticut under the local statutory provisions and therefore affect taxation and governance mechanisms. For instance, the headquarters of the [[Connecticut Food Bank]], now located in Wallingford, were previously located in New Haven, where the non-profit was established in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305154 |title=Nutritional Assistance Programs |date=September 4, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |website=Department of Social Services |publisher=State of Connecticut}}</ref> --->
Connecticut's agricultural sector employed about 12,000 people as of 2010, with more than a quarter of that number involved in [[Nursery (horticulture)|nursery stock]] production. Other agricultural products include [[dairy product]]s and [[egg (food)|eggs]], [[Connecticut shade tobacco|tobacco]], [[commercial fishing|fish]] and [[shellfish]], and [[fruit]].<ref>{{cite report |title=Economic Impacts of Connecticut's Agricultural Industry |first1=Rigoberto A. |last1=Lopez |display-authors=etal |url=http://www.zwickcenter.uconn.edu/documents/RLopezEconomicimpacts.pdf |publisher=Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut and Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis |date=September 2010 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
[[Oyster]] harvesting was historically an important source of income to towns along the Connecticut coastline. In the 19th century, oystering boomed in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Norwalk and achieved modest success in neighboring towns. In 1911, Connecticut's oyster production reached its peak at nearly 25 million pounds of oyster meats. This was, at the time, higher than production in New York, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/oystering-in-connecticut-from-colonial-times-to-today/ |website=Connecticut History |title=Oystering in Connecticut, from Colonial Times to the 21st Century |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> During this time, the Connecticut coast was known in the shellfishing industry as the oyster capital of the world. From before World War 1 until 1969, Connecticut laws restricted the right to harvest oysters in state-owned beds to sailing vessels. These laws prompted the construction of the oyster sloop style vessel that lasted well into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound |first=Tom |last=Andersen |publisher=Yale University Press |date=2004 |orig-year=2002 |edition=revised |p=90 |url={{google books|WsvwJKNIewsC|plainurl=yes|page=90}} |isbn=978-0-3001-0287-1}}</ref> The sloop {{ship||Hope|sloop|2}} is believed to be the last oyster sloop built in Connecticut, completed in [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] in 1948.
==Transportation==
{{main article|Transportation in Connecticut}}
===Roads===
{{main article |List of State Routes in Connecticut}}
The [[Interstate highway]]s in the state are [[Interstate 95 in Connecticut|Interstate 95]] (I-95; the [[Connecticut Turnpike]]) traveling southwest to northeast along the coast, [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|I-84]] traveling southwest to northeast in the center of the state, [[Interstate 91 in Connecticut|I-91]] traveling north to south in the center of the state, and [[Interstate 395 in Connecticut|I-395]] traveling north to south near the eastern border of the state. The other major highways in Connecticut are the [[Merritt Parkway]] and [[Wilbur Cross Parkway]], which together form [[Connecticut Route 15]] (Route 15), traveling from the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] in [[New York City|New York]] parallel to I-95 before turning north of [[New Haven]] and traveling parallel to I-91, finally becoming a surface road in [[Berlin, Connecticut|Berlin]]. I-95 and Route 15 were originally [[toll road]]s; they relied on a system of [[toll plaza]]s at which all traffic stopped and paid fixed tolls. A series of terrible crashes at these plazas eventually contributed to the decision to remove the tolls in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/ct-turnpike/ |title=Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) |website=NYC Roads |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Other major arteries in the state include [[U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut|U.S. Route 7]] (US 7) in the west traveling parallel to the New York state line, [[Connecticut Route 8|Route 8]] farther east near the industrial city of Waterbury and traveling north–south along the Naugatuck River Valley nearly parallel with US 7, and [[Connecticut Route 9]] in the east.
Between New Haven and New York City, I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Although I-95 has been widened in several spots, some areas are only 3 lanes and this strains traffic capacity, resulting in frequent and lengthy [[rush hour]] delays. Frequently, the congestion spills over to clog the parallel Merritt Parkway and even US 1. The state has encouraged traffic reduction schemes, including rail use and [[carpool|ride-sharing]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ctrides.com/ways-to-commute/carpool | title=Ways to Commute |website= CT rides |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref>
Connecticut also has a very active bicycling community, with one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership and use in the United States. New Haven's cycling community, organized in a local advocacy group called [[ElmCityCycling]], is particularly active. According to the US Census 2006 American Community Survey, New Haven has the highest percentage of commuters who bicycle to work of any major metropolitan center on the East Coast.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
===Rail===
[[File:Metro-North train 1567 enters Stamford.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A [[Metro-North Railroad]] [[New Haven Line]] train leaving [[Stamford Transportation Center|Stamford Station]]]]
Rail is a popular travel mode between New Haven and New York City's [[Grand Central Terminal]]. Southwestern Connecticut is served by the [[Metro-North Railroad]]'s [[New Haven Line]], operated by the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] and providing commuter service to New York City and New Haven, with branches servicing [[New Canaan Branch|New Canaan]], [[Danbury Branch|Danbury]], and [[Waterbury Branch|Waterbury]]. Connecticut lies along [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] which features frequent [[Northeast Regional]] and [[Acela Express]] service from New Haven south to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Norfolk, VA.
Coastal cities and towns between New Haven and New London are also served by the [[Shore Line East]] commuter line. Several new stations were completed along the Connecticut shoreline recently, and a commuter rail service called the [[Hartford Line]] between New Haven and Springfield on Amtrak's [[New Haven-Springfield Line]] is scheduled to begin operating in 2018. A proposed commuter rail service, the [[Central Corridor Rail Line]], will connect New London with [[Norwich, CT|Norwich]], [[Willimantic, CT|Willimantic]], [[Storrs, CT|Storrs]], and [[Stafford Springs, CT|Stafford Springs]], with service continuing into [[Massachusetts]] and [[Brattleboro, VT|Brattleboro]]. Amtrak also operates a shuttle service between New Haven and [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], serving Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor Locks, and Springfield, MA and the [[Vermonter (train)|Vermonter]] runs from Washington to St. Albans, Vermont via the same line.
===Bus===
Statewide [[bus]] service is supplied by [[Connecticut Transit]], owned by the [[Connecticut Department of Transportation]], with smaller municipal authorities providing local service. Bus networks are an important part of the transportation system in Connecticut, especially in urban areas like Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and New Haven. Connecticut Transit also operates [[CTfastrak]], a [[bus rapid transit]] service between [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]] and [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. The bus route opened to the public on March 28, 2015.<ref name=march28>{{cite press release |url=http://ctfastrak.com/about/news/news-releases/13-media-releases/279-03-28-15-despite-snow-thousands-of-riders-many-first-timers-experience-ctfastrak-on-first-day-of-service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911222239/http://ctfastrak.com/about/news/news-releases/13-media-releases/279-03-28-15-despite-snow-thousands-of-riders-many-first-timers-experience-ctfastrak-on-first-day-of-service |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |title=Despite Snow, Thousands of Riders, Many First-Timers, Experience CTfastrak on First Day of Service |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=March 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name=CTfastrak>{{cite web|title=What Is CTfastrak|url=http://www.ctfastrak.com/about/what-is-ctfastrak|publisher=State of Connecticut|accessdate=October 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=LaPorte|first1=Mike|title=The Busway to the Future: Insider to CTfastrak before Opening to Public|url=http://livewiremcc.org/2014/11/05/the-busway-to-the-future-insider-to-ctfastrak-before-opening-to-public/|accessdate=December 11, 2014|work=The Live Wire|agency=Manchester Community College|date=November 5, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Florida 148.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bradley International Airport]], the state's largest airport ]]
===Air===
[[Bradley International Airport]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gonewengland.about.com/od/planyourtrip/tp/New-England-Airports.htm|title=List of New England Airports|work=About.com Travel|access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref> is located in [[Windsor Locks]], {{convert|15|mile|km}} north of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. Many residents of central and southern Connecticut also make heavy use of [[JFK International Airport]] and [[Newark International Airport]]s, especially for international travel. Smaller regional air service is provided at [[Tweed New Haven Regional Airport]]. Larger civil airports include [[Danbury Municipal Airport]] and [[Waterbury-Oxford Airport]] in western Connecticut, [[Hartford–Brainard Airport]] in central Connecticut, and [[Groton-New London Airport]] in eastern Connecticut. [[Sikorsky Memorial Airport]] is located in Stratford and mostly services cargo, helicopter and private aviation.
===Ferry===
The [[Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry]] travels between [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]] and [[Port Jefferson, New York]] by crossing [[Long Island Sound]]. Ferry service also operates out of [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] to [[Orient, New York]]; [[Fishers Island, New York]]; and [[Block Island, Rhode Island]], which are popular tourist destinations. Small local services operate the [[Rocky Hill – Glastonbury Ferry]] and the [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]] which cross the Connecticut River.
==Law and government==
{{Main article|Law of Connecticut|Administrative divisions of Connecticut}}
{{ct law}}
[[File:Connecticut State Capitol, February 24, 2008.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Connecticut State Capitol]] in downtown Hartford]]
[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Before then, [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] and Hartford alternated as capitals.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
===Constitutional history===
{{Main article|History of the Connecticut Constitution}}
Connecticut is known as the "Constitution State". The origin of this nickname is uncertain, but it likely comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787, during which [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Oliver Ellsworth]] helped to orchestrate what became known as the [[Connecticut Compromise]], or the Great Compromise. This plan combined the [[Virginia Plan]] and the [[New Jersey Plan]] to form a bicameral legislature, a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal constitution. Variations of the bicameral legislature had been proposed by Virginia and New Jersey, but Connecticut's plan was the one that was in effect until the early 20th century, when Senators ceased to be selected by their state legislatures and were instead directly elected. Otherwise, it is still the design of Congress.
The nickname also might refer to the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]] of 1638–39. These Fundamental Orders represent the framework for the first formal Connecticut state government written by a representative body in Connecticut. The State of Connecticut government has operated under the direction of four separate documents in the course of the state's [[History of the Connecticut Constitution|constitutional history]]. After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King [[Charles II of England]] through the Connecticut Charter of 1662.
Separate branches of government did not exist during this period, and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A constitution similar to the modern [[U.S. Constitution]] was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818. Finally, the current state constitution was implemented in 1965. The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor, but incorporated a handful of important modifications.
===Executive===
The governor heads the executive branch. {{As of|2011}}, [[Dannel Malloy]] is the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|Governor]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.ct.gov/Departments_and_Agencies/Office_of_the_Governor/About/Governor_Malloy_s_Biography/ | title=Governor Malloy's Biography | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Portal.CT.gov | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> and [[Nancy Wyman]] is the [[List of Lieutenant Governors of Connecticut|Lieutenant Governor]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.ct.gov/Departments_and_Agencies/Office_of_the_Lieutenant_Governor/About/Lt__Governor_s_Biography/ | title=Lt. Governor's Biography | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Portal.CT.gov | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> both are Democrats. Malloy, the former mayor of [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], won the [[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 general election]] for Governor, and was sworn in on January 5, 2011. From 1639 until the adoption of the 1818 constitution, the governor presided over the General Assembly. In 1974, [[Ella Grasso]] was elected as the governor of Connecticut. This was the first time in United States history when a woman was a governor without her husband being governor first.<ref name=Pumont/>
There are several executive departments: Administrative Services, Agriculture, Banking, Children and Families, Consumer Protection, Correction, Economic and Community Development, [[Connecticut Department of Developmental Services|Developmental Services]], Construction Services, Education, Emergency Management and Public Protection, Energy & Environmental Protection, Higher Education, Insurance, Labor, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Military, Motor Vehicles, Public Health, Public Utility Regulatory Authority, Public Works, Revenue Services, Social Services, [[Connecticut Department of Transportation|Transportation]], and Veterans Affairs. In addition to these departments, there are other independent bureaus, offices and commissions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal.ct.gov/Department-and-Agencies/ |title=Departments and Agencies |website=Portal.CT.gov |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
In addition to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, there are four other executive officers named in the state constitution that are elected directly by voters: Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four-year terms.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
===Legislative===
The legislature is the [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]. The General Assembly is a [[bicameral]] body consisting of an upper body, the [[Connecticut Senate|State Senate]] (36 senators); and a lower body, the [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] (151 representatives).<ref name="AboutCT"/> Bills must pass each house in order to become law. The governor can veto the bill, but this veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in each house. Per Article XV of the state constitution, Senators and Representatives must be at least 18 years of age and are elected to two-year terms in November on even-numbered years. There also must always be between 30 and 50 senators and 125 to 225 representatives. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate, except when absent from the chamber, when the [[President pro tempore]] presides. The [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker of the House]] presides over the House.<ref name ="CT_CONST">{{cite web |title=Constitution of the State of Connecticut |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?A=3188&Q=392288 |date=April 21, 2009 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, [[Brendan Sharkey]] is the Speaker of the House of Connecticut.
{{As of|2015}}, Connecticut's [[United States Senators]] are [[Richard Blumenthal]] (Democrat) and [[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Chris Murphy]] (Democrat).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.senate.gov/states/CT/intro.htm | title=Connecticut | publisher=U.S. Senate | work=States in the Senate | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut has five [[U.S. Congressional Delegations from Connecticut|representatives in the U.S. House]], all of whom are Democrats.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_ct | title=Connecticut | publisher=U.S. House of Representatives | work=Directory of Representatives | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
Locally elected representatives also develop [[Local ordinance]]s to govern cities and towns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/ordinances.htm |title=Connecticut Ordinances and Charters by Town |website=Judicial Branch Law Libraries |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> The town ordinances often include [[noise pollution#Human|noise control]] and [[zoning]] guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/NewtownCT_Police/Ord%20Folder/Ordinances/262 |title=Newtown Noise Control Ordinance |website=Town of Newtown |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511122630/http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/NewtownCT_Police/Ord%20Folder/Ordinances/262 |archivedate=May 11, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> However, the State of Connecticut does also provide statewide ordinances for noise control as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sec. 22a-69-1 to 22a-69-7.4: Control of Noise |website=Department of Environmental Protection |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/regulations/title_22a/069.pdf |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
===Judicial===
The highest [[court]] of Connecticut's judicial branch is the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]], headed by the Chief Justice of Connecticut. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. Its proceedings are similar to those of the United States Supreme Court, with no testimony given by witnesses, and the lawyers of the two sides each present oral arguments no longer than thirty minutes. Following a court proceeding, the court may take several months to arrive at a judgment. {{As of|2015|}} the [[Chief Justice]] is [[Chase T. Rogers]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jud.state.ct.us/external/supapp/justiceRogers.html | title=Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Biographies of Supreme Court Justices, Judicial Branch | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
In 1818, the court became a separate entity, independent of the legislative and executive branches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.state.ct.us/ystday/history.html |title=About Connecticut Courts: History of the Courts |website=Judicial Branch |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=February 20, 2007}}</ref> The Appellate Court is a lesser statewide court and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states.
The State of Connecticut also offers access to [[Arrest warrant]] enforcement statistics through the Office of Policy and Management.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2969&Q=383588&opm_Nav_GID=1797 |title=Monthly Arrest Warrant Report |website=Office of Policy and Management |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=October 1, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
===Local government===
{{See also|Administrative divisions of Connecticut}}
::''and several lists:'' [[List of municipalities of Connecticut by population]], [[List of towns in Connecticut]], [[List of cities in Connecticut]], [[Borough (Connecticut)]], [[List of counties in Connecticut]]
Connecticut does not have [[County (United States)|county]] government, unlike all other states except Rhode Island. Connecticut county governments were mostly eliminated in 1960, with the exception of [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriffs]] elected in each county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3188&q=392376 |website=State Register and Manual |publisher=State of Connecticut |title=Section VI: Counties |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> In 2000, the county sheriff was abolished and replaced with the [[Connecticut State Marshal|state marshal]] system, which has districts that follow the old county territories. The judicial system is divided into judicial districts at the trial-court level which largely follow the old county lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/directory/location/Default.htm |title=Judicial District Courts Staff Directory |website=State of Connecticut Judicial Branch |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> The [[list of Connecticut counties|eight counties]] are still widely used for purely geographical and statistical purposes, such as [[Weather forecasting|weather reports]] and census reporting.
Connecticut shares with the rest of [[New England]] a governmental institution called the [[New England town]]. The state is divided into 169 towns which serve as the fundamental political jurisdictions.<ref name="AboutCT"/> There are also 21 cities,<ref name="AboutCT"/> most of which simply follow the boundaries of their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are two exceptions: the [[Groton (city), Connecticut|City of Groton]], which is a subsection of the [[Groton (town), Connecticut|Town of Groton]], and the City of [[Winsted, Connecticut|Winsted]] in the Town of [[Winchester, Connecticut|Winchester]]. There are also nine incorporated [[Borough (Connecticut)|boroughs]] which may provide additional services to a section of town.<ref name="AboutCT"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Town Elections, Boroughs in Connecticut with Date of Incorporation |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=June 19, 2013 |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3188&q=392430#CITIES_IN_CONNECTICUT_WITH_DATE_OF_INCORPORATION |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> [[Naugatuck]] is a consolidated town and borough.
The state is also divided into 15 [[Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Regions|planning regions]] defined by the state Office of Planning and Management, with the exception of the Town of Stafford in Tolland County.<ref name="OPM">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2985&q=383124 |title=Regional Planning Coordination |website=Office of Policy and Management |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> The Intragovernmental Policy Division of this Office coordinates regional planning with the administrative bodies of these regions. Each region has an administrative body known as a regional council of governments, a regional council of elected officials, or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations".<ref name="OPM"/>
==Politics==
{{Further information |Political party strength in Connecticut|Elections in Connecticut}}
[[File:Connecticut Political Party Registration 1958 - 2012.png|thumb|Connecticut political party registration 1958–2012 marked with presidential influence]]
===Registered voters===
Connecticut residents who register to vote have the option of declaring an affiliation to a political party, may become unaffiliated at will, and may change affiliations subject to certain waiting periods. {{as of|2016}} about 60% of registered voters are enrolled (just over 1% total in 28 [[Third party (politics)|third parties]] minor parties), and ratios among unaffiliated voters and the two major parties are about 8 unaffiliated for every 7 in the [[Democratic Party of Connecticut]] and for every 4 in the [[Connecticut Republican Party]].
(Among the minor parties, the [[Libertarian Party of Connecticut|Libertarian Party]] and [[Connecticut Green Party|Green Party]] appeared in the Presidential-electors column in 2016, and drew, respectively, 2.96% and 1.39% of the vote.)
Many Connecticut towns and cities show a marked preference for moderate candidates of either party.{{Ref}}
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Connecticut voter registration and party enrollment as of October 26, 2016<ref>{{cite web|title = NEW RECORD FOR NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN CONNECTICUT! | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | format = PDF | accessdate = December 10, 2016 | url = http://ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/releases/2016/10-28-2016_-_record_registrations.pdf}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Percentage
|-
{{party color|U.S. Taxpayers Party}}
| Unaffiliated
| style="text-align:center;"| 831,436
| style="text-align:center;"| 39.59%
|-
{{party color|Democratic Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Democratic Party of Connecticut|Democratic]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 790,188
| style="text-align:center;"| 37.63%
|-
{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Connecticut Republican Party|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 452,243
| style="text-align:center;"| 21.54%
|-
{{party color|Independent (United States)}}
| [[Independent Party of Connecticut|Independent]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 21,216
| style="text-align:center;"| 1.01%
|-
{{party color|Libertarian Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Libertarian Party of Connecticut|Libertarian]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,561
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.12%
|-
{{party color|Green Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Connecticut Green Party|Green]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,827
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.09%
|-
{{party color|Working Families Party}}
| [[Working Families Party|Working Families]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 323
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.02%
|-
{{party color|Jacksonian Party (United States)}}
| 24 other minor parties without<br>statewide enrollment privileges
| style="text-align:center;"| 226
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.01%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! style="text-align:center;"| 2,100,020
! style="text-align:center;"| 100%
|}
===Political office===
Elections in Connecticut take place mostly at the levels of town and/or city, state legislative districts for both houses, Congressional districts, and statewide. In almost all races, the two major parties have some practical advantages granted on the basis of their respective performances in the most recent election covering the same constituency. Several processes, to varying degrees internal to either a major or minor party, are in practice nearly prerequisites to being permitted mention on the provided ballots, and even more so to winning office.
More specifically, the status of "major party" is usually reconfirmed every four years, as belonging to the two parties that polled best, statewide, in the gubernatorial column; this status includes the benefit of appearing in one of the top two rows on the ballot provided the party has at least one candidate on the ballot. Minor parties appear below major parties, and their performance in recent elections determines whether a candidates who wins in their nomination process must also meet a petitioning threshold in order to appear.
In a major party, a party convention for the office's constituency must be held; in practice, at the town level, a major party convention of voters of the town who are enrolled in the party usually is attended almost exclusively by members of the town party committee. The convention may choose to endorse a candidate, who will appear on the ballot unless additional candidates meet a petition threshold for a primary election; if at least one candidate meets the petition threshold, the endorsed candidate and all who meet the threshold appear on the primary ballot, and the winner of the primary election appears on the party line for that office.
A candidate wishing to run on the ballot line of a minor-party which has recently enough met a general-election vote threshold follows similar steps; candidates of other minor parties must meet petition thresholds, and if other candidates of the same party, for the same office, do so as well, only the winner of a resulting primary will appear on the ballot.
Campaigns by candidates not on the ballot generally are entirely symbolic, and while any voter can cast a write-in ballot, write-in ballots are not even tallied by election officials, except for candidates who have submitted a formal request that the tally be made.
In short, most winning candidates have won the endorsement of the applicable "major"-party convention; nearly all of the rest have won with a "professionally managed" primary-election campaign; and successful minor-party candidates are almost without exception major-party figures like [[Lowell Weicker]] whose minor parties disappear after that success. [[A Connecticut Party]], which Weicker founded, became nominally the leading major party, and state law was changed during his administration to provide that in a situation such as his win, the top "three" parties in the governor's race all became major parties.
[[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Chris Murphy]] and [[Richard Blumenthal]] are Connecticut's [[United States Senate|U.S. senators]]; both are Democrats.
===Republican areas===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:2em; text-align: center;"
|+ Presidential election results<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential General Election Results Comparison – Connecticut |publisher=Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections |url=http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/compare.php?year=2004&fips=9&f=0&off=0&elect=0&type=state |year=2005 |accessdate=January 20, 2007}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="2" | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! scope="col" colspan="2" | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
! scope="col" | Percent !! scope="col" | Absolute
! scope="col" | Percent !! scope="col" | Absolute
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 40.94%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 673,139
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 54.57%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 897,281
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 40.73%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 634,892
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 58.06%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 905,083
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 38.22%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 629,428
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 60.59%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 997,773
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 43.95%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 693,826
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 54.31%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 857,488
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 38.44%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 561,094
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 55.91%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 816,015
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1996|1996]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 34.69%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 483,109
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 52.83%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 735,740
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 35.78%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 578,313
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 42.21%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 682,318
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 51.98%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 750,241
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 46.87%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 676,584
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1984|1984]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 60.73%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 890,877
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 38.83%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 569,597
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1980|1980]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 48.16%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 677,210
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 38.52%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 541,732
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1976|1976]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 52.06%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 719,261
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 46.90%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 647,895
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 58.57%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 810,763
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 40.13%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 555,498
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1968|1968]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 44.32%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 556,721
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 49.48%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 621,561
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 32.09%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 390,996
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 67.81%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 826,269
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1960|1960]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 46.27%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 565,813
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 53.73%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 657,055
|}
[[File:United States presidential election in Connecticut, 2016.svg|thumb|right|305px|[[Treemap]] of the popular vote by county, 2016 presidential election.]]
The suburban towns of [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] and [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]] in Fairfield County are considered the most Republican areas in the state. [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], a wealthy town a few miles to the east, is often considered one of the most loyally Democratic, liberal towns in Fairfield County. The historically Republican-leaning wealthy town of [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] voted in the majority for [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 Presidential Election. [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], the namesake of the [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|county]], has historically favored moderate Republicans in municipal, congressional, senatorial, and gubernatorial campaigns, but in recent years has supported Democratic Presidential nominees. [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] and [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], two larger, mixed-income communities in Fairfield County, have in many elections favored moderate Republicans including former Governor [[John G. Rowland]] and former Congressman [[Chris Shays]], however they have favored Democrats in recent US presidential election years, with Shays being defeated by Democrat [[Jim Himes]] in the 2008 election.
The state's Republican-leaning areas are the rural [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and adjoining exurbs in the western side of [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford County]], the industrial towns of the [[Naugatuck River Valley]], and some of the affluent [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] towns near the New York border.
Joe Lieberman's predecessor, [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as Senator. Weicker was known as a liberal Republican. He broke with President [[Richard Nixon]] during [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate]] and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent, creating [[A Connecticut Party]] as his election vehicle. Before Weicker, the last [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to represent Connecticut in the Senate was [[Prescott Bush]], the father of former President [[George H.W. Bush]] and the grandfather of former President [[George W. Bush]]. He served 1953–63.
===Democratic areas===
[[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]] has a Democratic registration edge, but usually favors conservative candidates of both traditional parties. In [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] unaffiliated voters outnumber voters registered with either major party. Other smaller cities including [[Meriden, Connecticut|Meriden]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Norwich, Connecticut|Norwich]] and [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]] favor Democratic candidates. The state's major cities—[[Hartford]], [[New Haven]], [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]] and [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]—are all strongly Democratic.
{{As of|2011}}, Democrats controlled all five federal congressional seats. The last Republican to be elected, [[Chris Shays]], lost his seat to Democrat Jim Himes in 2008.
===Voting===
In April 2012 both houses of the Connecticut state legislature passed a bill (20 to 16 and 86 to 62) that abolished the [[Capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]] for all future crimes, while 11 inmates who were waiting on the [[death row]] at the time could still be executed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/25/connecticut-governor-signs-bill-to-repeal-death-penalty/ |title = Connecticut governor signs bill to repeal death penalty |date=April 25, 2012 |work=FOX News |accessdate = April 25, 2012}}</ref>
In July 2009 the Connecticut legislature overrode a veto by Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] to pass [[SustiNet]], the first significant public-option health care reform legislation in the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Health Reform Alive: Legislature Overrides Rell Veto Of Sustinet Care Plan, Six Other Bills |work=Hartford Courant |date=July 21, 2009 |first=Christopher |last=Keating |url=http://www.aarp.org/states/ct/advocacy/articles/in_historic_vote_legislature_overrides_sustinet_veto.html}}</ref>
==Education==
===K–12===
{{See also|Connecticut State Board of Education}}
The [[Connecticut State Board of Education]] manages the public school system for children in grades K–12. Board of Education members are [[cronyism|appointed]] by the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|Governor of Connecticut]]. Statistics for each school are made available to the public through an online database system called "CEDAR".<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut Education Data and Research |website=State Department of Education |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://sdeportal.ct.gov/Cedar/WEB/ct_report/CedarHome.aspx |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> The CEDAR database also provides statistics for "ACES" or "RESC" schools for children with behavioral disorders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aces.org/uploads/files/2011RESCAllianceBrochure.pdf |title=Resc Alliance |type=brochure |publisher=Aces |year=2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117052804/http://www.aces.org/uploads/files/2011RESCAllianceBrochure.pdf |archivedate=January 17, 2013 }}</ref>
===Private schools===
{{example farm|section|date=December 2013}}
{{See also|Country Day School movement}}
{{div col|colwidth=}}
* [[Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall]] (1905)
* [[Avon Old Farms School]] (1927)
* [[Bridgeport International Academy]] (1997)
* [[Brunswick School]] (1902)
* [[Canterbury School (Connecticut)|Canterbury School]] (1915)
* [[Cheshire Academy]] (1794)
* [[Choate Rosemary Hall]] (1890)
* [[East Catholic High School]] (1961)
* [[Ethel Walker School]] (1911)
* [[Fairfield Country Day School]] (1936)
* [[Fairfield College Preparatory School]] (1942)
* [[Foote School]] (1916)
* [[Greens Farms Academy]] (1925)
* [[Greenwich Country Day School]] (1926)
* [[The Gunnery]] (1850)
* [[Hopkins School]] (1660)
* [[Hotchkiss School]] (1891)
* [[Kent School]] (1906)
* [[Kingswood-Oxford School]] (1909)
* [[Loomis Chaffee]] (1914)
* [[Marianapolis Preparatory School]] (1926)
* [[The Master's School]] (1970)
* [[Mercy High School (Connecticut)|Mercy High School]] (1963)
* [[Miss Porter's School]] (1843)
* [[New Canaan Country School]] (1916)
* [[Northwest Catholic High School]] (1961)
* [[Norwich Free Academy]] (1854)
* [[Notre Dame Catholic High School (Connecticut)|Notre Dame Catholic High School]] (1955)
* [[Notre Dame High School (West Haven, Connecticut)|Notre Dame High School]] (1946)
* [[Pomfret School]] (1894)
* [[Rumsey Hall School]] (1900)
* [[Sacred Heart Academy]] (1946)
* [[Saint Bernard School]] (1956)
* [[Stanwich School]] (1998)
* [[St. Paul Catholic High School]] (1966)
* [[Suffield Academy]] (1833)
* [[The Taft School]] (1890)
* [[Watkinson School]]
* [[Westminster School (Connecticut)]]
* [[Westover School]] (1909)
* [[The Williams School]] (1891)
* [[Xavier High School (Connecticut)|Xavier High School]] (1963)
{{div col end}}
===Colleges and universities===
Connecticut was home to the nation's first law school, [[Litchfield Law School]], which operated from 1773 to 1833 in [[Litchfield, Connecticut|Litchfield]]. [[Hartford Public High School]] (1638) is the third-oldest secondary school in the nation after the [[Collegiate School (New York)|Collegiate School]] (1628) in [[Manhattan]] and the [[Boston Latin School]] (1635).
====Private====
* [[Yale University]] (1701)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28392 |title=Admit rate falls to record-low 7.5 percent |publisher=[[Yale Daily News]] |date=March 31, 2009 |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404023027/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28392 |archivedate=April 4, 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity College]] (1823)
* [[Wesleyan University]] (1831)
* [[University of Hartford]] (1877)
* [[Post University]] (1890)
* [[Connecticut College]] (1911)
* [[United States Coast Guard Academy]] (1915)
* [[University of New Haven]] (1920)
* [[University of Bridgeport]] (1927)
* [[Albertus Magnus College]] (1925)
* [[Quinnipiac University]] (1929)
* [[University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut)]] (1932)
* [[Mitchell College]] (1938)
* [[Fairfield University]] (1942)
* [[Sacred Heart University]] (1963)
[[File:Yale MMI.JPG|thumb|Yale's motto means light & truth.]]
[[File:UConn Main.JPG|thumb|[[University of Connecticut]], the state's main public university ]]
[[File:Yale MMIII.JPG|thumb|Yale (close up of door). Yale was formerly known as the Collegiate School.]]
====Public universities====
{{See also|Connecticut State University System}}
* [[Central Connecticut State University]] (1849)
* [[University of Connecticut]] (1881)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uconn.edu/about-us/history/ |title=History |website= University of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Eastern Connecticut State University]] (1889)
* [[Southern Connecticut State University]] (1893)
* [[Western Connecticut State University]] (1903)
* [http://www.charteroak.edu/ Charter Oak State College] (1973)
====Public community colleges====
[[File:Southbury Greenhouse MMII.JPG|thumb|Southbury Training School Greenhouse, Interior.]]
[[File:Southbury Greenhouse MMI.JPG|thumb|Southbury Greenhouse, 2016]]
* [[Capital Community College]] (1946)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/history.htm |title=A Capital History |website=Capital Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518174123/http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/history.htm |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Norwalk Community College]] (1961)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc.commnet.edu/about/history.asp |title=History of Norwalk Community College |website=Norwalk Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Manchester Community College (Connecticut)|Manchester Community College]] (1963)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestercc.edu/ |title=Home Page |website=Manchester Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Naugatuck Valley Community College]] (1964)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nv.edu/About-NVCC/College-Facts/itemId/2055/History |title=History |website=Naugatuck Valley Community College |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518193155/http://www.nv.edu/About-NVCC/College-Facts/itemId/2055/History |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Northwestern Connecticut Community College]] (1965)<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nwcc.commnet.edu/research/pdfs/NCCC_NEASC_Report_2013.pdf |title=Institutional Self-Study Report |publisher=Northwestern Connecticut Community College |date=February 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514014033/http://www.nwcc.commnet.edu/research/pdfs/NCCC_NEASC_Report_2013.pdf |archivedate=May 14, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* [[Middlesex Community College (Connecticut)|Middlesex Community College]] (1966)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://mxcc.edu/blog/mxcc-named-a-2013-great-college-to-work-for/ |title=MxCC Named a '2013 Great College to Work For' |publisher=Middlesex Community College |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Housatonic Community College]] (1967)<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.hcc.commnet.edu/info/NEASC/2012-10year/Self_Study_Report_2-22-12.pdf |title=NEASC Self-Study Report |publisher=Housatonic Community College |date=March 4–7, 2012 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Gateway Community College]] (1968)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gatewaycc.edu/history |title=Gateway History |website=Gateway Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Asnuntuck Community College]] (1969)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asnuntuck.edu/about/history-college |title=History of the College |website=Asnuntuck Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Tunxis Community College]] (1969)<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.tunxis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/NEASC-Self-Study-2011.pdf |title=Tunxis Community College Institutional Self-Study |publisher=Tunxis Community College |date=Fall 2011 |page=i |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Quinebaug Valley Community College]] (1971)<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the College |website=Quinebaug Valley Community College |url=http://www.qvcc.edu/about/History.asp |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015101649/http://www.qvcc.edu/about/History.asp |archivedate=October 15, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Three Rivers Community College (Connecticut)|Three Rivers Community College]] (1992)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/President/about/ |title=About Our Learning Community |website=Three Rivers Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
The state also has many noted private day schools, and its [[boarding school]]s draw students from around the world.
{{See also|List of school districts in Connecticut}}
==Culture==
===Arts===
{{expand section|date=September 2017}}
===Sports===
====Professional sports====
{{See also|Professional ice hockey in Connecticut}}
Currently, there are two Connecticut teams in the [[American Hockey League]]: the [[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]], a farm team for the [[New York Islanders]], compete at the [[Webster Bank Arena]] in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]; the [[Hartford Wolf Pack]], the affiliate of the [[New York Rangers]], play in the [[XL Center]] in Hartford. The Wolf Pack are the first professional team to bring Hartford and the state of Connecticut a championship. The Wolf Pack won the [[Calder Cup]] on June 24, 2000 after defeating the [[Rochester Americans]] in a best-of-seven series.
The [[Hartford Yard Goats]] of the [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] are a AA affiliate of the [[Colorado Rockies]]. Also, the [[Connecticut Tigers]] play in the [[New York-Penn League]] and are a A affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. The [[Bridgeport Bluefish]] and the [[New Britain Bees]] play in the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]].
The [[Connecticut Sun]] of the [[WNBA]] currently play at the [[Mohegan Sun Arena]] in [[Uncasville, Connecticut|Uncasville]].
The state hosts several major sporting events. Since 1952, a [[PGA Tour]] golf tournament has been played in the Hartford area. Originally called the "Insurance City Open" and later the "Greater Hartford Open", the event is now known as the [[Travelers Championship]]. The [[Connecticut Open (tennis)|Connecticut Open]] tennis tournament is held annually in the [[Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center]] at Yale University in New Haven.
[[File:American Le Mans Series at Road America 2007.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Lime Rock Park|Lime Rock]]—a home of the [[American Le Mans Series|American Le Mans]] tournament]]
[[Lime Rock Park]] in Salisbury is a {{convert|1.5|mile|km|adj=on}} road racing course, home to [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]], [[SCCA]], [[United States Auto Club|USAC]], and [[K&N Pro Series East]] races. [[Thompson International Speedway]], [[Stafford Motor Speedway]] and [[Waterford Speedbowl]] are oval tracks holding weekly races for NASCAR Modifieds and other classes, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The state also hosts several major [[mixed martial arts]] events for [[Bellator MMA]] and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
=====Former major league teams=====
Connecticut has been the home of multiple teams in the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|big four sports leagues]], though currently hosts none.
Connecticut's longest-tenured and only modern full-time "big four" franchise were the [[Hartford Whalers]] of the [[National Hockey League]], who played in Hartford from 1975 to 1997 at the [[Hartford Civic Center]]. Their departure to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], over disputes with the state over the construction of a new arena, caused great controversy and resentment. The former Whalers are now known as the [[Carolina Hurricanes]].
In 1926, Hartford had a franchise in the [[National Football League]] known as the [[Hartford Blues]]. The NFL would return to Connecticut from 1973 to 1974 when New Haven hosted the [[New York Giants]] at [[Yale Bowl]] while [[Giants Stadium]] was under construction.<ref name="HistoryNYG">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/nyg/nygiants.html |title=History of the New York Giants |website= Sports Ecyclopedia |accessdate = September 12, 2006}}</ref>
The [[Hartford Dark Blues]] joined the [[National League]] for one season in 1876, making them the state's only [[Major League Baseball]] franchise, before moving to [[Brooklyn, New York]] and then disbanding one season later.
From 1975 to 1995, the [[Boston Celtics]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] played a number of home games at the Hartford Civic Center.
====Current professional sports teams====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Team
!Sport
!League
|-
|[[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]]
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[American Hockey League]]
|-
|[[Hartford Wolf Pack]]
|Ice hockey
|American Hockey League
|-
|[[Connecticut Whale (NWHL)|Connecticut Whale]]
|Ice Hockey
|[[National Women's Hockey League (2015–)|National Women's Hockey League]]
|-
|[[Hartford Yard Goats]]
|Baseball
|[[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] (AA)
|-
|[[Connecticut Tigers]]
|Baseball
|[[New York–Penn League]] (A)
|-
|[[Bridgeport Bluefish]]
|Baseball
|[[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]]
|-
|[[New Britain Bees]]
|Baseball
|[[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]]
|-
|[[Connecticut Sun]]
|Basketball
|[[Women's National Basketball Association]]
|-
|[[Connecticut Wildcats]]
|[[Rugby league]]
|[[USA Rugby League]]
|-
| [[AC Connecticut]]
| Soccer
| [[Premier Development League]]
|-
| [[New England Black Wolves]]
| Lacrosse
| [[National Lacrosse League]]
|}
=====Defunct professional teams=====
From 1996 to 1998, Connecticut was home to a professional woman's basketball team, [[American Basketball League (1996–98)|American Basketball League]] franchise the [[New England Blizzard]], who played at the [[XL Center]].
Hartford has hosted two [[Arena Football League]] franchises, in the [[Connecticut Coyotes]] from 1995 to 1996 and the [[New England Sea Wolves]] from 1999 to 2000, both playing at the Civic Center. Hartford was home to the [[Hartford Colonials]] of the [[United Football League (2009–12)|United Football League]] for one season in 2010.
====Amateur sports====
The [[Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC)]] is the state's sanctioning body for high school sports.
=====College sports=====
[[File:Yale-Harvard-Game.jpg|285px|right|thumb|Yale Bowl during "[[Harvard-Yale football games (The Game)|The Game]]" between Yale and Harvard. The Bowl was also the home of the [[NFL]]'s [[New York Giants]] in 1973–74.]]
The [[Connecticut Huskies]], often called "UConn", play [[NCAA Division I]] sports and are popular in the state. Both the [[Connecticut Huskies men's basketball|men's basketball]] and [[Connecticut Huskies women's basketball|women's basketball]] teams have won multiple national championships, including in 2004, when UConn became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Veilleux |first1=Richard |title=Twin National Championships Are A First In Division I Basketball |url=http://advance.uconn.edu/2004/040412/04041201.htm |accessdate=September 10, 2015 |work=UConn Advance |date=April 12, 2004}}</ref> In 2014, UConn repeated its feat of being the only school in NCAA Division I to win men's and women's basketball tournaments in the same year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=Nate|title=Connecticut women and men make basketball history (again)|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/connecticut-men-women-basketball-national-championship|accessdate=September 10, 2015|work=USA Today|date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> The UConn women's basketball team holds the record for the longest consecutive winning streak in NCAA college basketball at 111 games, a streak that ended in 2017.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} The [[UConn Huskies football team]] has played in the [[Football Bowl Subdivision]] since 2002, and has played in four bowl games since.
New Haven biennially hosts "[[Harvard–Yale football rivalry|The Game]]" between the [[Yale Bulldogs]] and the [[Harvard Crimson]], the country's second-oldest college football rivalry. Yale alum [[Walter Camp]], deemed the "Father of American Football", helped develop modern football while living in New Haven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegefootball.org/famer_selected.php?id=88004 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120908050128/http://www.collegefootball.org/famer_selected.php?id=88004 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |website=College Football |title=Hall of Fame – Famer Search }}</ref>
Other Connecticut universities which feature Division I sports teams are [[Quinnipiac Bobcats|Quinnipiac University]], [[Fairfield Stags|Fairfield University]], [[Central Connecticut Blue Devils|Central Connecticut State University]], [[Sacred Heart Pioneers|Sacred Heart University]], and the [[Hartford Hawks|University of Hartford]].
==Etymology and symbols==
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
|Flag = Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Seal = Seal of Connecticut.svg
|Name = Connecticut
|Bird = [[American robin]]
|Fish = [[American shad]]
|Flower = [[Kalmia latifolia|Mountain laurel]]
|Insect = [[European mantis]]
|Mammal = [[Sperm whale]]
|Tree = [[Charter Oak]], a [[white oak]]
|Dance = [[Square dance]]
|Fossil = [[Trace fossil|Dinosaur tracks]]
|Mineral = [[Garnet]]
|Motto = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Qui transtulit sustinet]]'' [[Latin]]
* "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains"}}
|Shell = [[Eastern oyster]]
|Ships = {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}, {{ship||Freedom Schooner Amistad}}
|Slogan = ''Full of Surprises''
|Song = {{plainlist|
* "[[Yankee Doodle]]"
* "[[Nutmegger|The Nutmeg]]"}}
|Tartan = [http://portal.ct.gov/About/State-Symbols/The-State-Tartan/ Connecticut State Tartan]
|Route Marker = Connecticut Highway 15.svg
|Quarter = 1999 CT Proof.png
|QuarterReleaseDate = 1999
}}
The name "Connecticut" originated with the [[Mohegan]] word ''quonehtacut'', meaning "place of long tidal river".<ref name="AboutCT">{{cite web |url=http://portal.ct.gov/about/ |title=General Description & Facts |website=Portal.CT.gov |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut's official nickname is "The Constitution State", adopted in 1959 and based on its colonial constitution of 1638–39 which was the first in America and, arguably, the world.<ref name=SOTS>{{cite web |title=Sites, Seals & Symbols |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?A=3188&QUESTION_ID=392608 |date=August 28, 2015 |ref=SOTS |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut is also unofficially known as "The [[Nutmeg]] State,"<ref name = SOTS/> whose origin is unknown. It may have come from its sailors returning from voyages with nutmeg, which was a very valuable spice in the 18th and 19th centuries. It may have originated in the early machined sheet tin nutmeg grinders sold by early Connecticut peddlers. It is also facetiously said to come from [[Yankee]] peddlers from Connecticut who would sell small carved nobs of wood shaped to look like nutmeg to unsuspecting customers.<ref name = "cslib" /> [[George Washington]] gave Connecticut the title of "The Provisions State"<ref name=SOTS/> because of the material aid that the state rendered to the [[American Revolutionary War]] effort. Connecticut is also known as "The Land of Steady Habits".<ref name=SOTS />
[[File:Charter Oak in Hartford CT.jpg|thumb|The [[Charter Oak]]]]
[[File:SS-571-Nautilus-trials.gif|thumb|The {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}]]
According to Webster's New International Dictionary (1993), a person who is a native or resident of Connecticut is a "Connecticuter". There are numerous other terms coined in print but not in use, such as "Connecticotian" ([[Cotton Mather]] in 1702) and "Connecticutensian" ([[Samuel Peters]] in 1781). Linguist Allen Walker Read suggests the more playful term "connecticutie." "[[Nutmegger]]" is sometimes used,<ref name="cslib">{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm |title=Connecticut's Nicknames |website=Connecticut State Library |accessdate=September 15, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905051813/http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm |archivedate=September 5, 2011 }}</ref> as is "[[Yankee]]." The official state song is "[[Yankee Doodle]]"), though this usually refers to someone from the wider [[New England]] region. (In the Southern United States, the term "Yankee" refers to anyone who lives north of the [[Mason–Dixon line]].) The traditional abbreviation of the state's name is "Conn.;" the official [[United States postal abbreviations|postal abbreviation]] is CT.
[[Commemorative stamp]]s issued by the [[United States Postal Service]] with Connecticut themes include [[Nathan Hale]], [[Eugene O'Neill]], [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]], [[Noah Webster]], [[Eli Whitney]], the [[whaling]] ship the [[Charles W. Morgan (ship)|Charles W. Morgan]] which is docked at [[Mystic Seaport]], and a [[decoy]] of a broadbill [[duck]].
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+ Connecticut state insignia and historical figures<br /><sup>Source [[#SOTS|Sites, Seals & Symbols]] except where noted.</sup>
|-
|State aircraft || [[Vought F4U Corsair]]
|-
|State hero || [[Nathan Hale]]
|-
|State heroine || [[Prudence Crandall]]
|-
|State composer || [[Charles Edward Ives]]
|-
|State statues in [[National Statuary Hall Collection#Collection|Statuary Hall]] || [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Jonathan Trumbull]]
|-
<!-- STATE PEOPLE, HONORARY POSTS-->
|[[State poet laureate]] || [[Dick Allen (poet)|Dick Allen]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2162&q=300692 | title=Connecticut Poet Laureate | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of Culture and Tourism | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Connecticut State Troubadour]] || Kristen Graves
|-
|State composer laureate || [[Jacob Druckman]]
|}
==Notable people==
{{Main article|List of people from Connecticut}}
* [[George H.W. Bush]], the 41st president of the United States, grew up in Greenwich<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-bush |title=George Bush |publisher=History.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> a member of the [[Bush political family]], with roots in the state extending three generations.
* [[George W. Bush]], the 43rd president of the United States, was born in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/george-w-bush-9232768 |title=George W. Bush Biography |publisher=Bio. |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard]] and [[Karen Carpenter]], brother and sister duo of [[The Carpenters]] who won a Grammy and sold over 60 million albums by 1983; born in New Haven 1946 and 1950, respectively.
* [[Glenn Close]], American actress who is best known for appearing as Alex Forrest in [[Fatal Attraction]], and [[Cruella de Vil]] in Disney's live-action remake of the [[One Hundred and One Dalmatians|101 Dalmatians]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/glenn-close-9251504|title=Glenn Close Biography|last=Writers|first=Biography.com|date=April 2, 2014|website=The Biography.com website|publisher=A&E Television Networks|access-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Charles Dow]], founder of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' and [[Dow Jones]].<ref>{{cite ANB |first=Bruce J. |last=Evensen |url=http://www.anb.org/articles/16/16-03537.html |title=Dow, Charles Henry |date=October 2008 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]], was an American scientist who made important theoretical contributions to physics, chemistry, and mathematics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aps.org/programs/outreach/history/historicsites/gibbs.cfm|title=J. Willard Gibbs|website=APS Physics|access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Katharine Hepburn]], named by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star in Hollywood history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/katharine-hepburn-9335828#awesm=~oEDV3oZXwvgJaB |title=Katharine Hepburn Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Seth MacFarlane]], a cartoonist, well known for creating [[Family Guy]], [[American Dad!|American Dad]], [[The Cleveland Show|Cleveland Show]], and the [[Ted (film)|TED series]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0532235/bio|title=Seth MacFarlane|website=IMDb|access-date=October 1, 2016}}</ref>
* [[J.P. Morgan]], financier and philanthropist who dominated a period of industrial consolidation and intervened in multiple economic panics during his time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/jp-morgan-9414735#awesm=~oEDVgccyvH9m1C |title=J.P. Morgan Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Jackie Robinson]], who broke baseball's "color line," contributing significantly to the [[Civil Rights Movement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813#awesm=~oEDVDeW7JBvyzD |title=Jackie Robinson Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Igor Sikorsky]], who created and flew the first practical helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/igor-sikorsky-9483585#awesm=~oEDVMz4yePtkxu |title=Igor Sikorsky Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], whose novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' (1852) energized anti-slavery forces in the American North.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/hbs/ |title=Harriet Beecher Stowe's Life |website=Harriet Beecher Stowe Center |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Meryl Streep]], who holds the record for the most [[Academy Awards]] nominations for acting.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/Blog/Arts-Entertainment/February-2014/Meryl-Streep-Oscars-Stars-Other-Celebs-Live-in-Connecticut-We-Map-Them/ |title=Meryl Streep, Oscars' Stars and Other Celebs in Connecticut (We Map Them) |work=Connecticut Magazine |date=February 27, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20140518193819/http://www.connecticutmag.com/Blog/Arts-Entertainment/February-2014/Meryl-Streep-Oscars-Stars-Other-Celebs-Live-in-Connecticut-We-Map-Them/ |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Mark Twain]] resided in his innovative [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] home from 1871 until 1891, during which time he published ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' and ''The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn''. He lived in [[Redding, Connecticut|Redding]] from 1908 until his death in 1910.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marktwainlibrary.org/9samuelclemens-folder/samuel-clemens-and-the-mark-twain-library.htm |title=Samuel Clemens and the Mark Twain Library |publisher=Mark Twain Library |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Noah Webster]] was born in Hartford in an area that is now part of [[West Hartford]] and was the author of the ''Blue Backed Speller'', now known as ''Webster's Dictionary''. The ''Speller'' was used to teach spelling to five generations of Americans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/noah-webster-9526224#awesm=~oEDWPi2TfHJD2B |title=Noah Webster Biography |website=Biography.com. |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Eli Whitney, Jr.|Eli Whitney]], best known for inventing the [[cotton gin]] which shaped the economy of the [[Antebellum South]], and promoting the design of interchangeable parts in production, a major development leading to the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/eli-whitney-9530201#awesm=~oEDX0pOKWHrEmG |title=Eli Whitney Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|Connecticut|New England}}
* [[Index of Connecticut-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Connecticut]]—organized list of topics about Connecticut
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Connecticut]]
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Connecticut|Connecticut}}
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<!--===============================================================================-->
* [http://portal.ct.gov/ Connecticut's Official State Website]
* [http://www.ctvisit.com/ CTVisit.com] – Official tourism website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613102359/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html Connecticut QuickFacts] – U.S Census Bureau
* {{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Connecticut}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union]]|years=Ratified [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] on January 9, 1788 (5th)}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Massachusetts]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Connecticut|expanded}}
{{New England}}
{{Northeast US}}
{{United States political divisions}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:1788 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:New England]]
[[Category:Northeastern United States]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1788]]
[[Category:States of the East Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{other uses}}
{{Coord|41.6|N|72.7|W|region:US-CT_type:adm1st_scale:1000000|display=title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox U.S. state
|Name = Connecticut
|Fullname = State of Connecticut
|Flag = Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Seal = Seal of Connecticut.svg weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooooonggggggggggggggggggggg
icut Colony
|Capital = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]<ref>{{cite web |title=General Description and Facts |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://portal.ct.gov/about/}}</ref>
|LargestMetro = [[Greater Hartford]]<ref>{{cite report |title=Table B-1. Metropolitan Areas – Area and Population |work=State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2006 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |date=July 2006 |url=http://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2006/compendia/smadb06/tableB/all-tabB.pdf}}</ref> |
|LargestCity = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2014 Population Estimate |website=[[American FactFinder]] |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6gpGlyhlr?url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |archivedate=April 17, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref>
|Demonym = {{plainlist|
* Connecticuter<ref>{{Cite journal|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |title=Style Manual |year=2000 |at=§5.23 |url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831023726/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ |archivedate=August 31, 2008 }}</ref>
* Connecticutian<ref>{{cite web|title= Connecticutian |work=Merriam-Webster Online |url=http://nws.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/newword_search.php?word=Connecticutian |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Nutmegger]]<ref>{{cite web | work=eReference Desk |title=State Resident's Names |url=http://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-name/resident-names.html |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>}}
Yankee {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}
|Governor = [[Dannel Malloy|Dannel P. Malloy]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Lieutenant Governor = [[Nancy Wyman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Legislature = [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]
|Upperhouse = [[Connecticut Senate|Senate]]
|Lowerhouse = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|Senators = [[Richard Blumenthal]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<br>[[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Christopher S. Murphy]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|Representative = 5 Democrats
|PostalAbbreviation = CT
|OfficialLang = None
|AreaRank = 48th
|TotalArea = 14,357
|TotalAreaUS = 5,567
|LandArea = 12,559
|LandAreaUS = 4,849
|WaterArea = 1,809
|WaterAreaUS = 698
|PCWater = 12.6
|PopRank = 29th
|2010Pop = 3,576,452 (2016 est.)<ref name=PopHousingEst>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates |date=June 22, 2017 |accessdate=June 22, 2017|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
|DensityRank = 4th
|2000Density = 285
|2000DensityUS = 739
|MedianHouseholdIncome = $72,889<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/median-annual-income/?currentTimeframe=0|work=The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation|title=Median Annual Household Income|accessdate=December 9, 2016}}</ref>
|IncomeRank = 4th
|AdmittanceOrder = 5th
|AdmittanceDate = January 9, 1788
|TimeZone = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] [[Eastern Time Zone|−5]]/[[Eastern Daylight Time|−4]]
|Longitude = 71°08′ W to 73°72′ W
|Latitude = 40°98′ N to 42°04′ N
|Width = 113
|WidthUS = 70
|Length = 177
|LengthUS = 110
|HighestPoint = [[Massachusetts]] border on south slope of [[Mount Frissell]]<ref name=USGS>{{cite web|title=Highest and Lowest Elevations |website=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |year=2001 |url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109183109/http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archivedate=November 9, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name=NAVD88>Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]].</ref>
|HighestElev = 725
|HighestElevUS = 2,379
|MeanElev = 150
|MeanElevUS = 500
|LowestPoint = [[Long Island Sound]]<ref name=USGS/><ref name=NAVD88 />
|LowestElev = 0
|LowestElevUS = 0
|ISOCode = US-CT
|TradAbbreviation = Conn.
|Website = www.ct.gov
}}
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
<!-- Sources:http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ct_symb.htm-->
|Name =Connecticut
|Flag =Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Flagsize =175px
|Seal =Seal of Connecticut.svg
|Bird =[[American robin]]
|Insect =[[Praying mantis]]
|Fish =[[American shad]]
|Flower =[[Kalmia latifolia|Mountain laurel]]
|Tree =[[Quercus alba|White oak]]
|Gemstone =[[Garnet]]
|Motto =''[[Qui Transtulit Sustinet]]'' (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains.)
|Song ="[[Yankee Doodle]]"
|Route marker =Connecticut_Highway_2.svg
|Quarter =1999_CT_Proof.png
|Quarter release date = 1999
}}
'''Connecticut''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Connecticut.ogg|k|ə|ˈ|n|ɛ|t|ᵻ|k|ə|t}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connecticut |title=Connecticut |website=Dictionary.com |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvMGho?url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connecticut |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> is the southernmost [[U.S. state|state]] in the [[New England]] region of the [[northeastern United States]]. As of the 2010 Census, Connecticut features the highest per-capita income, [[Human Development Index]] (0.962), and [[Household income in the United States|median household income in the United States]].<ref>{{cite news |date=November 29, 2005 |title=Highest wages in East, lowest in South |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-29-wage_x.htm |first=Stephen |last=Ohlemacher |accessdate=April 30, 2010 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvtVNF?url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-29-wage_x.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Median Household Income |date=2013 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6gpGlyhlr?url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk |archivedate=April 17, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 17, 2008 |title=US slips down development index |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkxLjnC?url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Connecticut is bordered by [[Rhode Island]] to the east, [[Massachusetts]] to the north, [[New York (state)|New York]] to the west, and [[Long Island Sound]] to the south. Its capital is [[Hartford]] and its most populous city is [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]. Although Connecticut is technically part of New England, it is often grouped along with [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New Jersey]] as the [[Tri-state area]]. The state is named for the [[Connecticut River]], a major U.S. river that approximately bisects the state. The word "Connecticut" is derived from various anglicized spellings of an [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] word for "long tidal river".<ref>{{cite book|last=Trumbull|first=James Hammond|title=Indian Names of Places, Etc., in and on the Borders of Connecticut: With Interpretations of Some of Them|year=1881 |location=Harford, Connecticut |publisher=Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company |url={{google books|JS8TAAAAYAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=60}} |page=60}}</ref>
Connecticut is the [[List of U.S. states and territories by area|third smallest]] state by area,<ref name="census table 18">{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=Table 18, Area Measurements: 2010; and Population and Housing Unit Density: 1990 to 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2012 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |p=41 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> the [[List of U.S. states and territories by population|29th most populous]],<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=Table 19, Population by Urban and Rural and Type of Urban Area: 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2012 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |p=42 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> and the [[List of U.S. states by population density|fourth most densely populated]]<ref name="census table 18"/> of the [[50 United States]]. It is known as the "[[Connecticut#Constitutional history|Constitution State]]", the "[[Nutmeg]] State", the "Provisions State", and the "Land of Steady Habits".<ref name=SOTS/> It was influential in the development of the [[federal government of the United States]]. Much of southern and western Connecticut (along with the majority of the state's population) is part of the [[New York metropolitan area]]; three of Connecticut's eight counties are statistically included in the [[New York metropolitan area#Components of the metropolitan area|New York City combined statistical area]], which is widely referred to as the [[Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT)|Tri-State area]]. Connecticut's center of population is in [[Cheshire, Connecticut|Cheshire]], [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven County]],<ref name=NGS>{{cite web |url=http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/COP/ct_links.htm |title=State of Connecticut Center of Population |website=Center of Population Project |publisher=National Geodetic Survey |accessdate=January 30, 2009 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkvhYPB?url=http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/COP/ct_links.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> which is also located within the Tri-State area.
Connecticut's first European settlers were [[Dutch (ethnic group)|Dutch]]. They established a small, short-lived settlement in present-day Hartford at the confluence of the [[Park River (Connecticut)|Park]] and [[Connecticut River|Connecticut]] rivers called [[Fort Hoop|Huys de Goede Hoop]]. Initially, half of Connecticut was a part of the Dutch colony [[New Netherland]], which included much of the land between the Connecticut and [[Delaware River|Delaware]] rivers. The first major settlements were established in the 1630s by England. [[Thomas Hooker]] led a band of followers overland from the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] and founded what became the [[Connecticut Colony]]; other settlers from Massachusetts founded the [[Saybrook Colony]] and the [[New Haven Colony]]. The Connecticut and New Haven Colonies established documents of [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]], considered the first constitutions in North America. In 1662, the three colonies were merged under a [[royal charter]], making Connecticut a [[crown colony]]. This colony was one of the [[Thirteen Colonies]] that revolted against British rule in the [[American Revolution]].
The Connecticut River, [[Thames River (Connecticut)|Thames River]], and ports along the Long Island Sound have given Connecticut a strong [[wikt:Maritime|maritime]] tradition which continues today. The state also has a long history of hosting the [[financial services]] industry, including [[insurance]] companies in Hartford and [[hedge fund]]s in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]].
==Geography==
{{further information|Geology of Connecticut|Geology of New England}}
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Landmarks and Cities of Connecticut" widths="120" heights="120">
File:BridgeportCityHall.jpg|[[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]
File:New Haven from East Rock.jpg|[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
File:Hartford Connecticut Skyline.JPG|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
File:StamfordCTRRstaLookingNE11112007.jpg|[[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]
File:NewLondon 2016 Cropped.jpg|[[New London, Connecticut|New London]]
File:Willimantic.JPG|[[Willimantic, Connecticut|Willimantic]]
File:Amtrak's Thames River Bridge.jpg|[[Gold Star Bridge]] and [[Amtrak Thames River Bridge]]
File:Highest Point here.JPG|[[Mount Frissell]], the highest point in the state
File:LakeMcdonoughFromTunxisTrail.jpg|[[Barkhamsted, Connecticut#Notable locations|Lake McDonough]] reservoir as seen from the [[Tunxis Trail|Tunxis Trail Overlook Spur]] trail.
File:Connecticut River, Connecticut LCCN2012631727.tif|The [[Connecticut River]] near [[Connecticut Route 82]]
</gallery>
Connecticut is bordered on the south by [[Long Island Sound]], on the west by [[New York (state)|New York]], on the north by [[Massachusetts]], and on the east by [[Rhode Island]]. The state capital and third largest city is [[Hartford]], and other major cities and towns (by population) include [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]], [[New Haven]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], and [[Bristol, Connecticut|Bristol]]. Connecticut is slightly larger than the country of [[Montenegro]]. There are 169 [[New England town|incorporated towns]] in Connecticut.[[File:Map of Connecticut NA cropped.png|275x275px|thumb|Map of Connecticut]]
The highest peak in Connecticut is [[Bear Mountain (Connecticut)|Bear Mountain]] in [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]] in the northwest corner of the state. The highest point is just east of where Connecticut, [[Massachusetts]], and New York meet (42° 3' N; 73° 29' W), on the southern slope of [[Mount Frissell]], whose peak lies nearby in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite peakbagger |pid=7083 |name=Mount Frissell-South Slope, Connecticut/Massachusetts}}</ref> At the opposite extreme, many of the coastal towns have areas that are less than 20 feet (6 m) above sea level.
Connecticut has a long maritime history and a reputation based on that history—yet the state has no direct oceanfront (technically speaking). The coast of Connecticut sits on [[Long Island Sound]], which is an [[estuary]]. The state's access to the open Atlantic Ocean is both to the west (toward New York City) and to the east (toward the "race" near Rhode Island). This situation provides many safe harbors from ocean storms, and many transatlantic ships seek anchor inside Long Island Sound when [[tropical cyclones]] pass off the upper East Coast.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}
The [[Connecticut River]] cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound. The most populous metropolitan region centered within the state lies in the [[Connecticut River Valley]]. Despite Connecticut's relatively small size, it features wide regional variations in its landscape; for example, in the northwestern [[Litchfield Hills]], it features rolling mountains and horse farms, whereas in areas to the east of New Haven along the coast, the landscape features coastal [[marsh]]es, [[beach]]es, and large scale maritime activities.
{{further information|List of Connecticut rivers}}
Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities such as Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, located along the coastal highways from the New York border to New London, then northward up the Connecticut River to Hartford. Many towns in northeastern and northwestern Connecticut center around a [[village green|green]], such as the Litchfield Green, Lebanon Green (the largest in the state), and Wethersfield Green (the oldest in the state). Near the green typically stand historical visual symbols of [[New England]] towns, such as a white [[church (building)|church]], a [[colonial meeting house]], a colonial [[tavern]] or [[inn]], several [[American colonial architecture|colonial houses]], and so on, establishing a scenic historical appearance maintained for both [[historic preservation]] and tourism. Many of the areas in southern and coastal Connecticut have been built up and rebuilt over the years, and look less visually like traditional New England.
The northern boundary of the state with Massachusetts is marked by the Southwick Jog or Granby Notch, an approximately {{convert|2.5|mile|km}} square detour into Connecticut. The origin of this anomaly is clearly established in a long line of disputes and temporary agreements which were finally concluded in 1804, when southern [[Southwick, Massachusetts|Southwick's]] residents sought to leave Massachusetts, and the town was split in half.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southwickma.org/Public_Documents/SouthwickMA_WebDocs/southwick_jog.pdf |title=The Southwick Jog |last=Dodge |first=Edward R. |website=Town of Southwick, Massachusetts |access-date=October 25, 2015 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5p1plFeFC?url=http://www.southwickma.org/Public_Documents/F000102F9/S00476B50-00476B5B.0/The%20Southwick%20Jog.pdf |archivedate=April 16, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cslib.org/jog.htm |title=Connecticut's Southwick Jog |publisher=Connecticut State Library |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKkzcI4A?url=http://www.cslib.org/jog.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
The southwestern border of Connecticut where it abuts New York State is marked by a [[panhandle]] in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]], containing the towns of [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]], [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], and parts of [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] and [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]]. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of [[History of Connecticut#Territorial disputes|territorial disputes]] in the late 17th century, culminating with New York giving up its claim to the area, whose residents considered themselves part of Connecticut, in exchange for an equivalent area extending northwards from [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]] to the Massachusetts border, as well as undisputed claim to [[Rye (town), New York|Rye, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cslib.org/panhandle.htm |title=Connecticut's "Panhandle" |website=Connecticut State Library |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5uKl03gYx?url=http://www.cslib.org/panhandle.htm |archivedate=November 18, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
{{further information|Connecticut panhandle}}
Areas maintained by the [[National Park Service]] include [[Appalachian National Scenic Trail]], [[Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor]], and [[Weir Farm National Historic Site]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut |website=National Park Service |accessdate=July 15, 2008 |url=http://www.nps.gov/state/ct/index.htm}}</ref>
{{Rivers of Connecticut}}
{{Mountains of Connecticut}}
{{Waterbodies of Connecticut}}
{{Islands and Peninsulas of Connecticut}}
===Climate===
[[File:CT koeppen.png|300px|thumb|left|Köppen climate types in Connecticut]]
[[File:Barndoor Hills original.JPG|thumb|Scenery upon [[Barndoor Hills]] in [[Granby, Connecticut|Granby]] in autumn]]
[[File:EH 2001 snow.jpg|thumb|Winter in [[East Haven, Connecticut|East Haven]]]]
Much of Connecticut has a [[humid continental climate]], with cold winters with moderate snowfall and mild, humid summers. Far southwestern coastal Connecticut has a milder humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and warmer winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow. Most of Connecticut sees a fairly even precipitation pattern with rainfall/snowfall spread throughout the 12 months. Connecticut averages 56% of possible sunshine, averaging 2,400 hours of [[sunshine]] annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-annual-sunshine-map.htm |title=United States Annual Sunshine Map |website=HowStuffWorks |accessdate=March 15, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429042722/http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-annual-sunshine-map.htm |archivedate=April 29, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
Early spring (April) can range from slightly cool to warm, while mid and late spring (May/early June) is warm. By mid June, the building [[Bermuda High]] creates a southerly flow of warm and humid tropical air, bringing hot weather conditions throughout the state, with average highs in New London of {{convert|81|F|C}} and {{convert|85|F|C}} in Windsor Locks at the peak of summer in late July. Although summers are sunny in Connecticut, quick moving summer thunderstorms can bring brief downpours with thunder and lightning. Occasionally these thunderstorms can be severe, and the state usually averages one tornado per year.<ref name="tornadoes">{{cite web |url= http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif | title=Annual average number of tornadoes| publisher=NOAA National Climatic Data Center |format=[[GIF]] |accessdate=October 24, 2006}}</ref> During hurricane season, the remains of tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region, though a direct hit is rare.
Fall type weather (cooler days and nights, fewer air masses thundershowers) starts in October and normally lasts to the first days of December. Daily high temperatures in October and November range from the 50's to 60's F with nights in the 40's and upper 30's F (November). Colorful foliage begins across northern parts of the state in late September and moves south and east reaching southeast Connecticut by early November. Far southern and coastal areas however have more oak and hickory trees (and fewer maples), and are often less colorful than areas to the north. By early December average overnight lows are below freezing across the entire state.
Winters (December through mid March) are generally cold from south to north in Connecticut. The coldest month (January) has average high temperatures ranging from {{convert|38|F|C}} in the coastal lowlands to {{convert|33|F|C}} in the inland and northern portions on the state. The average yearly snowfall ranges from about {{convert|60|in|mm}} in the higher elevations of the northern portion of the state to only {{convert|20-25|in|mm}} along the southeast coast of Connecticut (Branford to Groton). Generally, any locale north or west of [[Interstate 84 (Pennsylvania–Massachusetts)|Interstate 84]] receives the most snow, during a storm, and throughout the season. Most of Connecticut has less than 60 days of snow cover. Snow usually falls from late November to late March in the northern part of the state, and from early December to mid March in the southern and coastal parts of the state.
Connecticut's warmest temperature is {{convert|106|F|C}} which occurred in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] on July 15, 1995; the coldest temperature is {{convert|-32|F|C}} which occurred in the Northwest Hills [[Falls Village, Connecticut|Falls Village]] on February 16, 1943, and [[Coventry, Connecticut|Coventry]] on January 22, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/extremes/scec/getextreme.php?elem=ALL&state=CT| title = All-Time Climate Extremes for CT|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate=March 18, 2011}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"|Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures for Various Connecticut Cities
|-
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000; height:17px;"| City
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jan
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Feb
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Mar
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Apr
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| May
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jun
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jul
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Aug
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Sep
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Oct
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Nov
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Dec
|-
! style="background:#f8f3ca; color:#000; height:16px;"| Bridgeport
| style="text-align:center; background:#0ff; color:#000;"| 37/23
| style="text-align:center; background:#0fe; color:#000;"| 39/25
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffae; color:#000;"| 47/32
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff5e; color:#000;"| 57/41
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f1; color:#000;"| 67/51
| style="text-align:center; background:#4f0; color:#000;"| 76/60
| style="text-align:center; background:#7f0; color:#000;"| 82/66
| style="text-align:center; background:#6eff00; color:#000;"| 81/65
| style="text-align:center; background:#3f0; color:#000;"| 74/58
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff2f; color:#000;"| 63/46
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff7b; color:#000;"| 53/38
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffd4; color:#000;"| 42/28
|-
! style="background:#c5dfe1; color:#000; height:16px;"| Hartford
| style="text-align:center; background:#00d9ff; color:#000;"| 35/16
| style="text-align:center; background:#00f7ff; color:#000;"| 39/19
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ffc3; color:#000;"| 47/27
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff62; color:#000;"| 59/38
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff08; color:#000;"| 70/48
| style="text-align:center; background:#4f0; color:#000;"| 79/57
| style="text-align:center; background:#73ff00; color:#000;"| 84/63
| style="text-align:center; background:#62ff00; color:#000;"| 82/61
| style="text-align:center; background:#1aff00; color:#000;"| 74/51
| style="text-align:center; background:#00ff48; color:#000;"| 63/40
| style="text-align:center; background:#0f9; color:#000;"| 52/32
| style="text-align:center; background:#00fff7; color:#000;"| 40/22
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/06604 |title=Monthly Averages for Bridgeport, CT |publisher = [[The Weather Channel]] |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/06604 |title=Monthly Averages for Hartford, CT |publisher=[[The Weather Channel]] |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref>
|}
===Flora===
{{main|Flora of Connecticut}}
{{see also|List of Connecticut tree species}}
Forests consist of a mix of [[Northeastern coastal forests]] of Oak in southern areas of the state, to the upland [[New England-Acadian forests]] in the northwestern parts of the state. Mountain Laurel ([[Kalmia latifolia]]) is the state flower, and is native to low ridges in several parts of Connecticut. Rosebay Rhododendron ([[Rhododendron maximum]]) is also native to eastern uplands of Connecticut and [[Pachaug State Forest]] is home to the Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail. Atlantic white cedar ([[Chamaecyparis thyoides]]), is found in wetlands in the southern parts of the state. Connecticut has one native cactus ([[Opuntia humifusa]]), found in sandy coastal areas and low hillsides. Several types of beach grasses and wildflowers are also native to Connecticut.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Olson |first1=David M. |last2=Dinerstein |first2=Eric |last3=Wikramanayake |first3=Eric D. |display-authors=etal |title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth |journal=[[BioScience]] |year=2001 |volume=51 |issue=11 |pages=933–938 |url=http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/51/11/933 |doi=10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2 |issn=0006-3568}}</ref>. Connecticut spans [[USDA Plant Hardiness Zones]] 5b to 7a. Coastal Connecticut is the broad transition zone where more southern and subtropical plants are cultivated. In some coastal communities, [[Magnolia grandiflora]] (southern magnolia), [[Lagerstroemia indica|Crape Myrtles]], scrub palms ([[Sabal minor]]), and other broadleaved evergreens are cultivated in small numbers.{{Citation needed|reason=Since CT is far outside the native distribution, a reference is needed to support that this is happening in large enough numbers|date=July 2017}}
==History==
{{Main article|History of Connecticut}}
[[File:Ctcolony.png|thumb|370px|A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies]]
===Early history===
The name Connecticut is derived from anglicized versions of the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] word that has been translated as "long tidal river" and "upon the long river",<ref name="Project">{{cite book |author=Federal Writers' Project |title=Connecticut: A Guide to Its Roads, Lore and People |url={{google books|CPYfSsQ-WE4C|page=3|plainurl=yes}} |accessdate=September 23, 2010 |publisher=US History Publishers |isbn=978-1-60354-007-0 |orig-year=1938 |page=3}}</ref> referring to the [[Connecticut River]]. The Connecticut region was inhabited by multiple [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] tribes before European settlement and colonization, including the [[Mohegan people|Mohegans]], the [[Pequot people|Pequots]], and the [[Golden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation|Paugusetts]].<ref>"[http://www.cslib.org/tribes.htm Connecticut Native American Tribes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927185519/http://www.cslib.org/tribes.htm |date=September 27, 2013 }}", Connecticut State Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014. </ref>
=== Colonial Connecticut ===
The first European explorer in Connecticut was Dutch explorer [[Adriaen Block]].<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Varekamp|first2=Daphne|date=Spring–Summer 2006|title=Adriaen Block, The Discovery of Long Island Sound and the New Netherlands Colony: What Drove the Course of History?|url=http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/springsummer06/block.pdf|journal=Wrack Lines|publisher=Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, [[University of Connecticut]]|volume=6|issue=1|access-date=May 16, 2014|last1=Varekamp|first1=Johan|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231223638/http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/magazines/wracklines/springsummer06/block.pdf|archivedate=December 31, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After he explored this region in 1614, Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River (then known by the Dutch as Versche Rivier, "Fresh River") and built a fort at Dutch Point in present-day Hartford, which they called "House of Hope" ({{lang-nl|Huis van Hoop}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1614.htm|title=1614 Adriaen|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The Connecticut Colony was originally a number of separate, smaller settlements at present-day Windsor, Wethersfield, Saybrook, Hartford, and New Haven. The first English settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor, and then at Wethersfield the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/earlysettlers.htm|title=Early Settlers of Connecticut|publisher=Connecticut State Library|accessdate=July 25, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420061052/http://www.cslib.org/earlysettlers.htm|archivedate=April 20, 2010}}</ref> [[John Winthrop the Younger]] of Massachusetts received a commission to create a new colony at [[Saybrook Colony|Saybrook]] at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saybrookhistory.org/web_page.php?id=13|title=Brief History of Old Saybrook|website=Old Saybrook Historical Society|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. They were [[Puritan]]s from Massachusetts, led by [[Thomas Hooker]], who established the [[Connecticut Colony]] at Hartford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1636.htm|title=1636-Hartford|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> The Quinnipiack Colony<ref>{{cite book|url={{google books|wmdJAAAAMAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=176}}|title=New Englander and Yale Review|date=1887|publisher=W.L. Kingsley|volume=47|pages=176–177|editor-last2=Kingsley|editor-first2=William Lathrop|editor-last3=Fisher|editor-first3=George Park|editor-last4=Dwight|editor-first4=Timothy|display-editors=3|editor-first1=Edward Royall|editor-last1=Tyler}}</ref> was established by [[John Davenport (clergyman)|John Davenport]], [[Theophilus Eaton]], and others at present-day New Haven in March 1638. The New Haven Colony had its own constitution, "The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony", which was signed on June 4, 1639.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/ct01.asp|title=Fundamental Agreement, or Original Constitution of the Colony of New Haven, June 4, 1639|website=The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy|publisher=Yale Law School|accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
The settlements were established without official sanction of the English Crown; each was an independent political entity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colonialwarsct.org/1638_new_haven.htm|title=1638 - New Haven - The Independent Colony|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> They naturally were presumptively English but, in a legal sense, they were only secessionist outposts of Massachusetts Bay or expansions from Plymouth Colony. In 1662, Winthrop traveled to England and obtained a charter from [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] which united the settlements of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1662.htm|title=1662-Charter for Connecticut|website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Historically important colonial settlements included [[Windsor, Connecticut|Windsor]] (1633), [[Wethersfield, Connecticut|Wethersfield]] (1634), [[Deep River, Connecticut|Saybrook]] (1635), [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] (1636), [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] (1638), [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]] (1639), [[Guilford, Connecticut|Guilford]] (1639), [[Milford, Connecticut|Milford]] (1639), [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]] (1639), [[Farmington, Connecticut|Farmington]] (1640), [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]] (1641), and [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] (1646).
The Pequot War marked the first major clash between Colonial settlers and Indians in New England. The [[Pequot people|Pequots]] reacted with increasing aggression to Colonial settlements in their territory, while simultaneously taking lands from the [[Narragansett people|Narragansett]] and [[Mohegan Indian Tribe|Mohegan]] tribes. Settlers responded to a murder in 1636 with a raid on a Pequot village on [[Block Island]]; the Pequots laid siege to Saybrook Colony's garrison that autumn, then raided Wethersfield in the spring of 1637. Colonists declared war on the Pequots, organized a band of militia and allies from the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes, and attacked a Pequot village on the [[Mystic River (Connecticut)|Mystic River]], with death toll estimates ranging between 300 and 700 Pequots. After suffering another major loss at a battle in [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], the Pequots asked for a truce and peace terms.<ref>{{cite book|url={{google books|YHVwmVKjhaoC|plainurl=yes|page=31}}|title=America's Beginnings: The Dramatic Events that Shaped a Nation's Character|last=Williams|first=Tony|date=2010|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-0487-4|pages=32–34}}</ref>
The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. The [[Treaty of Hartford (1650)|Hartford Treaty]] with the Dutch was signed on September 19, 1650, but it was never ratified by the British. According to it, the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich Bay]] for a distance of {{convert|20|mile|km}},<ref name="BOWEN">{{cite book |last=Bowen |first=Clarence Winthrop |url={{google books|XJUNAAAAQAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=17}} |title=The Boundary Disputes of Connecticut |date=1882 | publisher=James R. Osgood and Company | place=Boston | pages=17–18}}</ref><ref name="FLICK">{{cite book |editor-first=Alexander C. |editor-last=Flick |title=History of the State of New York |volume=2 |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |year=1933 |pages=50–57}}</ref> "provided the said line come not within {{convert|10|mi|km}} of Hudson River."<ref name="BOWEN"/><ref name="FLICK"/> This agreement was observed by both sides until war erupted between England and The Netherlands in 1652. Conflict continued concerning colonial limits until the [[James II of England|Duke of York]] captured [[New Netherland]] in 1664.<ref name="BOWEN"/><ref name="FLICK"/>
On the other hand, Connecticut's original Charter in 1662 granted it all the land to the "South Sea"—that is, the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite web |website=A Chronology of US Historical Documents |url=http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/colony.shtml |title=Connecticut Colony Charter of 1662 |publisher=University of Oklahoma, College of Law |date=March 14, 2006 |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> Most Colonial royal grants were for long east-west strips. Connecticut took its grant seriously and established a ninth county between the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] and [[Delaware River|Delaware]] rivers named [[Westmoreland County, Connecticut|Westmoreland County]]. This resulted in the brief [[Pennamite Wars]] with [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colonialwarsct.org/1769.htm |title=1769- The Pennamite Wars |website=The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Yale College was established in 1701, providing Connecticut with an important institution to educate clergy and civil leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yale.edu/about-yale/traditions-history|title=Traditions & History|website=Yale University|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The Congregational church dominated religious life in the colony and, by extension, town affairs in many parts.<ref>{{cite book|title=Connecticut: A History|last=Roth|first=David M.|date=1979|publisher=W.W. Norton & Co|isbn=978-0-3933-3174-5|location=New York|pages=40–41}}</ref>
====The American Revolution====
[[File:LowsCTmap.jpeg|thumb|250px|A 1799 map of
Connecticut which shows [[The Oblong]]. From [[Low's Encyclopaedia]].
]]
Connecticut designated four delegates to the [[Second Continental Congress]] who signed the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]: [[Samuel Huntington (statesman)|Samuel Huntington]], [[Roger Sherman]], [[William Williams (Continental Congress)|William Williams]], and [[Oliver Wolcott]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_signers_gallery_facts.pdf |title=Signers of the Declaration of Independence |website=Charters of Freedom |publisher=National Archives |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut's legislature authorized the outfitting of six new regiments in 1775, in the wake of the clashes between British regulars and Massachusetts militia at Lexington and Concord. There were some 1,200 Connecticut troops on hand at the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]] in June 1775.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/academics/military/hillprelim.html |title=Battle of Bunker's Hill Preliminary Study |website=Military Science, Cadet Resources |publisher=Worcester Polytechnic Institute |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
In 1777, the British got word of [[Continental Army]] supplies in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], and they landed an expeditionary force of some 2,000 troops in [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]]. This force then marched to Danbury and destroyed homes and much of the depot. Continental Army troops and militia led by General [[David Wooster]] and General [[Benedict Arnold]] engaged them on their return march at [[Battle of Ridgefield|Ridgefield]] in 1777.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/accountoftryonsr00case#page/n3/mode/2up |last=Case |first=James R. |title=An Account of Tryon's Raid on Danbury in April, 1777 |location=Danbury, Connecticut |date=1927 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
For the winter of 1778–79, General [[George Washington]] decided to split the Continental Army into three divisions encircling [[New York City]], where British General Sir [[Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)|Henry Clinton]] had taken up winter quarters.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Poirier|first1=David A.|title=Camp Reading: Logistics of a Revolutionary War Winter Encampment|journal=Northeast Historical Archaeology|date=1976|volume=5|issue=1|url=http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1326&context=neha&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fq%3D%2522redding%252C%2Bconnecticut%2522%26btnG%3D%26hl%3Den%26as_sdt%3D1%252C7%26as_vis%3D1#search=%22redding%2C%20connecticut%22|accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> Major General [[Israel Putnam]] chose Redding as the winter encampment quarters for some 3,000 regulars and militia under his command. The Redding encampment allowed Putnam's soldiers to guard the replenished supply depot in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] and to support any operations along Long Island Sound and the [[Hudson River]] Valley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://putnampark.org/park-history/ |title=Park History |website=Putnam Memorial State Park |access-date=April 27, 2014}}</ref> Some of the men were veterans of the winter encampment at [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]] the previous winter. Soldiers at the Redding camp endured supply shortages, cold temperatures, and significant snow, with some historians dubbing the encampment "Connecticut's Valley Forge".<ref>{{cite book |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Thomas C. |editor1-last=Johnson |editor1-first=James M. |editor2-last=Pryslopski |editor2-first=Christopher |editor3-last=Villani |editor3-first=Andrew |title=Key to the Northern Country: The Hudson River Valley in the American Revolution |date=August 1, 2013 |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |url={{google books|NfADAAAAQBAJ|plainurl=yes|page=241}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015 |chapter=George Washington and the Redding Encampments}}</ref>
The state was also the launching site for a number of raids against Long Island orchestrated by [[Samuel Holden Parsons]] and [[Benjamin Tallmadge]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hall |first1=Charles Samuel |title=Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major-General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789 |year=1905 |publisher=Otseningo Publishing |location=Binghamton, New York |page=110 |url={{google books|llssAAAAMAAJ|plainurl=yes|page=10}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> and provided men and material for the war effort, especially to Washington's army outside New York City. General [[William Tryon]] [[Tryon's raid|raided the Connecticut coast]] in July 1779, focusing on New Haven, Norwalk, and Fairfield.<ref>{{cite book |last=Townshend |first=Charles H. |title=British Invasion of New Haven, Connecticut |location=New Haven, Connecticut |publisher=Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, Printers |date=1879 |url=https://archive.org/stream/britishinvasiono00towniala#page/n3/mode/2up |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> New London and Groton Heights [[Battle of Groton Heights|were raided]] in September 1781 by Benedict Arnold, who had turned traitor to the British.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.hogriver.org/issues/v04n04/benedictarnold.htm |last=Baker |first=Edward |title=Benedict Arnold Turns and Burns New London |work=Hog River Journal |date=Fall 2006 |volume=4 |issue=4 |access-date=May 17, 2014 |archivedate=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713150615/http://www.hogriver.org/issues/v04n04/benedictarnold.htm |dead-url=no}}</ref>
=== 19th century ===
====Early National Period and Industrial Revolution====
Connecticut ratified the U.S. Constitution on January 9, 1788, becoming the fifth state.<ref name="AboutCT"/> The state prospered during the era following the American Revolution, as mills and textile factories were built and seaports flourished from trade<ref>{{cite book |last1=La Bella |first1=Laura |title=Connecticut: Past and Present |date=August 15, 2010 |publisher=[[Rosen Publishing]] |location=New York |page=17 |url={{google books|ZYJtf6CoCs4C|plainurl=yes|page=17}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> and fisheries.
In 1786, Connecticut ceded territory to the U.S. government that became part of the [[Northwest Territory]]. The state retained land extending across the northern part of present-day Ohio called the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]].<ref name="United States Summary 2010, page V-5">{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |title=User Notes by Table: Table 12 |work=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=September 2010 |page=V-5 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut, and they brought Connecticut place names to Ohio.
Connecticut made agreements with Pennsylvania and New York which extinguished her land claims within those states' boundaries and created the [[Connecticut Panhandle]]. The state then ceded the Western Reserve in 1800 to the federal government,<ref name="United States Summary 2010, page V-5"/> which brought it to its present boundaries (other than minor adjustments with Massachusetts).
The British blockade during the [[War of 1812]] hurt exports and bolstered the influence of Federalists who opposed the war.<ref>{{cite book |first1=James |last1=Boyland |first2=Glenn S. |last2=Gordinier |first3=Meredith |last3=Mason Brown |display-authors=etal |title=The Rockets' Red Glare: The War of 1812 and Connecticut |publisher=New London County Historical Society |date=2012 |isbn=978-0-9853-6240-9}}</ref> The cessation of imports from Britain stimulated the construction of factories to manufacture textiles and machinery. Connecticut came to be recognized as a major center for manufacturing, due in part to the inventions of [[Eli Whitney]] and other early innovators of the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Charles R. |title=The Dawn of Innovation: The First American Industrial Revolution |date=2012 |publisher=[[PublicAffairs]] |page=136 |url={{google books|n97K02J6eQgC|plainurl=yes|page=136}} |isbn=978-1-6103-9049-1 |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
The state was known for its political conservatism, typified by its Federalist party and the Yale College of [[Timothy Dwight IV|Timothy Dwight]]. The foremost intellectuals were Dwight and [[Noah Webster]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Elliott |first1=Emory |title=Revolutionary Writers: Literature and Authority in the New Republic, 1725-1810 |date=1986 |orig-year=1982 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=14 |url={{google books|WmI6avgH0GoC|plainurl=yes|page=14}} |accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> who compiled his great dictionary in New Haven. Religious tensions polarized the state, as the Congregational Church struggled to maintain traditional viewpoints, in alliance with the Federalists. The failure of the [[Hartford Convention]] in 1814 hurt the Federalist cause, with the Republican Party gaining control in 1817.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/shortaccountofha00lyma#page/n1/mode/2up |last=Lyman |first=Theodore |title=A Short Account of the Hartford Convention |date=1823 |location=Boston |publisher=O. Everett, Publisher |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut had been governed under the "[[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]" since 1639, but the state adopted a new constitution in 1818.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/constitutions/1818Constitution.htm |title=The Constitution of Connecticut (1818) |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
====Civil War era====
{{Main article|Connecticut in the American Civil War}}
[[File:View of New London, Connecticut, from the Shore Road.jpg|thumb|View of New London in 1854]]
Connecticut manufacturers played a major role in supplying the Union forces with weapons and supplies during the [[Union (American Civil War)|Civil War]]. The state furnished 55,000 men, formed into thirty full regiments of infantry, including two in the [[U.S. Colored Troops]], with several Connecticut men becoming generals. The Navy attracted 250 officers and 2,100 men, and Glastonbury native [[Gideon Welles]] was Secretary of the Navy. [[James H. Ward]] of Hartford was the first U.S. Naval Officer killed in the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://norwich.typepad.com/museum/2012/08/james-h-ward-first-us-navy-officer-killed-in-the-civil-war.html| title=James H. Ward, First U.S. Navy Officer Killed in the Civil War |website=Sullivan Museum and History Center |publisher=Norwich University |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut casualties included 2,088 killed in combat, 2,801 dying from disease, and 689 dying in Confederate prison camps.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van Dusen |first=Albert E. |title=Connecticut |publisher=Random House |date=1961 |edition=1st |pp=224–238 |ref=harv}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Matthew |last=Warshauer |title=Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice, and Survival |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |date=2011 |url={{google books|Ymuv133JwrEC|plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-8195-7139-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=William Augustus |last1=Croffut |first2=John Moses |last2=Morris |author-link2=John Moses Morris |title=The Military and Civil History of Connecticut During the War of 1861–65 |url={{google books|3TUyuhpp9zoC|plainurl=yes}} |year=1869}}</ref>
A surge of national unity in 1861 brought thousands flocking to the colors from every town and city. However, as the war became a crusade to end slavery, many Democrats (especially Irish Catholics) pulled back. The Democrats took a pro-slavery position and included many [[Copperhead (politics)|Copperheads]] willing to let the South secede. The intensely fought 1863 election for governor was narrowly won by the Republicans.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Joanna D. |last=Cowden |title=The Politics of Dissent: Civil War Democrats in Connecticut |journal=New England Quarterly |date=December 1983 |volume=56 |issue=4 |pp=538–554 |DOI=10.2307/365104 |jstor=365104}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Jarlath Robert |last=Lane |title=A Political History of Connecticut During the Civil War |publisher=Catholic University of America Press |date=1941}}</ref>
====Second Industrial Revolution====
[[File:Connecticut1895.jpg|thumb|380px|1895 map from [[Rand McNally]]]]
Connecticut's extensive industry, dense population, flat terrain, and wealth encouraged the construction of railroads starting in 1839. By 1840, {{convert|102|mile|km}} of line were in operation, growing to {{convert|402|mile|km}} in 1850 and {{convert|601|mile|km}} in 1860.<ref>{{cite book |first=Edward Chase |last=Kirkland |title=Men, Cities and Transportation, A Study of New England History 1820–1900 |publisher=Harvard University Press |date=1948 |volume=Vol 2 |pp=72–110, 288–306}}</ref>
The [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]], called the ''New Haven'' or "The Consolidated", became the dominant Connecticut railroad company after 1872. [[J. P. Morgan]] began financing the major New England railroads in the 1890s, dividing territory so that they would not compete. The New Haven purchased 50 smaller companies, including steamship lines, and built a network of light rails (electrified trolleys) that provided inter-urban transportation for all of southern New England. By 1912, the New Haven operated over {{convert|2,000|mile|km}} of track with 120,000 employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/findaids/NHRR_Smallformat/MSS19910133.html |title=New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Small Format Photograph and Postcard Collection |website=Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center |publisher=University of Connecticut Libraries |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921094350/http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/findaids/NHRR_Smallformat/MSS19910133.html |archivedate=September 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
In 1875, the first telephone exchange in the world was established in New Haven.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/the-first-commercial-telephone-exchange-today-in-history/ |title=First Commercial Telephone Exchange |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
=== 20th century ===
====World War I====
When World War I broke out in 1914, Connecticut became a major supplier of weaponry to the U.S. military; by 1918, 80% of the state's industries were producing goods for the war effort.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=The Industrial Northeast: Connecticut |chapter-url={{google books|EP7bDoZcGTIC|plainurl=yes|page=107}} |last=Breen |first=William J. |title=Labor Market Politics and the Great War: The Department of Labor, the States and the First U.S. Employment Service, 1907-1933 |location=Kent, Ohio |publisher=Kent State University Press |date=1997 |page=107 |ref=harv |accessdate=May 29, 2014}}</ref> [[Remington Arms]] in Bridgeport produced half the small-arms cartridges used by the U.S. Army,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/topics-page/world-war-i/ |title=World War I |website=Connecticut History |accessdate=May 28, 2014}}</ref> with other major suppliers including [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] in New Haven and [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] in Hartford.{{sfn|Van Dusen|1961|pp=266-268}}
Connecticut was also an important U.S. Navy supplier, with [[General Dynamics Electric Boat|Electric Boat]] receiving orders for 85 submarines,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |publisher=General Dynamics Electric Boat |accessdate=May 17, 2014}}</ref> [[Lake Torpedo Boat]] building more than 20 subs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/laketorpedo.htm |title=Lake Torpedo Boat Company, Bridgeport CT |website=Shipbuilding History |accessdate=May 28, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714141246/https://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/laketorpedo.htm |archivedate=July 14, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the [[Groton Iron Works]] building freighters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/freighter-worcester-launched-today-in-history/ |title=Freighter Worcester Launched |website=Connecticut History |accessdate=May 28, 2014}}</ref> On June 21, 1916, the U.S. Navy made Groton the site for its East Coast submarine base and school.
The state enthusiastically supported the American war effort in 1917 and 1918, with large purchases of war bonds, a further expansion of industry, and an emphasis on increasing food production on the farms. Thousands of state, local, and volunteer groups mobilized for the war effort and were coordinated by the Connecticut State Council of Defense.<ref>{{cite journal |first=William J. |last=Breen |title=Mobilization and Cooperative Federalism: The Connecticut State Council of Defense, 1917‐1919 |work=Historian |date=1979 |volume=42 |issue=1 |pp=58–84}}</ref> Manufacturers wrestled with manpower shortages; Waterbury's American Brass and Manufacturing Company was running at half capacity, so the federal government agreed to furlough soldiers to work there.{{sfn|Breen|1997|page=116}}
====Interwar period====
In 1919, J. Henry Roraback started the [[Northeast Utilities|Connecticut Light & Power Co.]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Connecticut Light and Power Co. History |work=International Directory of Company Histories |volume=13 |publisher=St. James Press |date=1996 |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/connecticut-light-and-power-co-history/ |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref> which became the state's dominant electric utility. In 1925, [[Frederick Rentschler]] spurred the creation of [[Pratt & Whitney]] in Hartford to develop engines for aircraft; the company became an important military supplier in World War II and one of the three major manufacturers of jet engines in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalaviation.org/rentschler-frederick/ |title=Frederick Rentschler |website=The National Aviation Hall of Fame |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014043025/http://www.nationalaviation.org/rentschler-frederick/ |archivedate=October 14, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
On September 21, 1938, the most destructive storm in New England history struck eastern Connecticut, killing hundreds of people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov/okx/1938HurricaneHome |title=The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 |website=National Weather Service |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The eye of the [[1938 New England hurricane|"Long Island Express"]] passed just west of New Haven and devastated the Connecticut shoreline between Old Saybrook and Stonington from the full force of wind and waves, even though they had partial protection by Long Island. The hurricane caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. In New London, a 500-foot (150 m) sailing ship was driven into a warehouse complex, causing a major fire. Heavy rainfall caused the Connecticut River to flood downtown Hartford and East Hartford. An estimated 50,000 trees fell onto roadways.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/21/nyregion/remembering-the-great-hurricane-of-38.html |title=Remembering the Great Hurricane of '38 |publisher=New York Times |date=September 21, 2003 |accessdate=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
====World War II====
The advent of [[Lend-Lease]] in support of Britain helped lift Connecticut from the Great Depression,<ref>{{cite thesis |url=http://content.library.ccsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ccsutheses/id/1014 |last=Brandi |first=Anthony P. |type=Masters of Arts |title=Lend-lease: FDR's Most Unheralded Achievement and Connecticut's Unprecedented Response to it |publisher=Central Connecticut State University |date=May 2007 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> with the state a major production center for weaponry and supplies used in [[World War II]]. Connecticut manufactured 4.1 percent of total U.S. military armaments produced during World War II, ranking ninth among the 48 states,<ref>{{cite book |author-link1=Whiz Kids (Department of Defense) |last1=Peck |first1=Merton J. |author-link2=Frederic M. Scherer |last2=Scherer |first2=Frederic M. |title=The Weapons Acquisition Process: An Economic Analysis |date=1962 |publisher=[[Harvard Business School]] |p=111}}</ref> with major factories including [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.courant.com/2012-08-19/business/hc-colt-timeline-20120817_1_colt-firearms-firearms-division-rampant-colt |title=Colt Manufacturing: A Timeline |work=Hartford Courant |date=August 19, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> for firearms, [[Pratt & Whitney]] for aircraft engines, [[Vought|Chance Vought]] for fighter planes, [[Hamilton Standard]] for propellers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/topics-page/world-war-ii/ |title=World War II |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> and [[General Dynamics Electric Boat|Electric Boat]] for submarines and PT boats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |website=General Dynamics Electric Boat |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In Bridgeport, General Electric produced a significant new weapon to combat tanks: the bazooka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/the-bazooka-changes-war/ |title=The Bazooka Changes War |website=Connecticut History |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>
On May 13, 1940, [[Igor Sikorsky]] made an untethered flight of the first practical [[helicopter]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/VS-300_Helicopter.php |title=VS-300 Helicopter |website=Sikorsky Archives |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The helicopter saw limited use in World War II, but future military production made [[Sikorsky Aircraft]]'s [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]] plant Connecticut's largest single manufacturing site by the start of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikorsky Aircraft Corp ~ Employer Information |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchDet.asp?intEmpID=144196 |date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
====Post-World War II economic expansion====
Connecticut lost some wartime factories following the end of hostilities, but the state shared in a general post-war expansion that included the construction of highways<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?A=1380&Q=259704 |title=Interstate Highways Given New Life by Federal Aid Highway Acts |website=Department of Transportation |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=September 9, 2003 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> and resulting in middle-class growth in suburban areas.
[[Prescott Bush]] represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate from 1952 to 1963; his son [[George H.W. Bush]] and grandson [[George W. Bush]] both became Presidents of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/The-President-and-Family/The-Bush-Family.aspx |title=The Bush Family |website=George W. Bush Library |publisher=Southern Methodist University |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In 1965, Connecticut ratified its [[Connecticut Constitution|current constitution]], replacing the document that had served since 1818.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/constitutionalAmends/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806024527/http://www.cslib.org/constitutionalAmends/ |archivedate=August 6, 2013 |df=mdy }} "The Connecticut Constitution, 1965–2008: Legislative History of Amendments", Connecticut State Library. Retrieved May 16, 2014.</ref>
In 1968, commercial operation began for the Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in [[East Haddam, Connecticut|East Haddam]]; in 1970, the [[Millstone Nuclear Power Plant|Millstone Nuclear Power Station]] began operations in [[Waterford, Connecticut|Waterford]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gammell |first=Ben |url=http://wnpr.org/post/connecticut-yankee-and-millstone-46-years-nuclear-power |title=Connecticut Yankee and Millstone: 46 Years of Nuclear Power |work=[[WNPR]] |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> In 1974, Connecticut elected Democratic Governor [[Ella T. Grasso]], who became the first woman in any state to be elected governor.<ref name=Pumont>{{cite book |first=Jon E. |last=Purmont |title=Ella Grasso: Connecticut's Pioneering Governor |date=2012 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |url={{google books|Pos7XDsZauUC|plainurl=yes}} |isbn=978-0-8195-7344-5}}</ref>
====Late 20th century====
Connecticut's dependence on the defense industry posed an economic challenge at the end of the [[Cold War]]. The resulting budget crisis helped elect [[Lowell Weicker]] as governor on a third-party ticket in 1990. Weicker's remedy was a state income tax which proved effective in balancing the budget, but only for the short-term. He did not run for a second term, in part because of this politically unpopular move.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/gov/weickerl.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324093619/http://www.cslib.org/gov/weickerl.htm |archivedate=March 24, 2014 |df=mdy }} "Lowell Weicker Governor of Connecticut, 1991–1995", Connecticut State Library, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2014.</ref>
In 1992, initial construction was completed on [[Foxwoods Resort Casino|Foxwoods Casino]] at the [[Mashantucket Pequots]] reservation in eastern Connecticut, which became the largest casino in the Western Hemisphere. [[Mohegan Sun]] followed four years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=4107&q=482860 |title=Legalized Gambling |website=Department of Consumer Protection |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
===Early 21st century===
In 2000, presidential candidate [[Al Gore]] chose Senator [[Joe Lieberman]] as his running mate, marking the first time that a major party presidential ticket included someone of the Jewish faith.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Knowlton |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/08/news/08iht-veep.2.t.html |title=Gore's Choice for His Running Mate: Moderate Senator Who Scorned Clinton: Selecting Lieberman Is Seen as Bold Move; Religion May Be Issue |publisher=The New York Times |date=August 8, 2000 |accessdate=May 21, 2014}}</ref> Gore and Lieberman fell five votes short of [[George W. Bush]] and [[Dick Cheney]] in the Electoral College.
In the terrorist [[September 11 attacks|attacks of September 11, 2001]], 65 state residents were killed, mostly [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] residents who were working in the [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Area victims of 9/11 |work=The Advocate |location=Stamford, Connecticut |date=September 9, 2011 |url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Area-victims-of-9-11-2162856.php}}</ref>
In 2004, Republican Governor [[John G. Rowland]] resigned during a corruption investigation, later pleading guilty to federal charges.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/21/connecticut.governor/ |title=Connecticut Governor Announces Resignation |work=CNN |date=June 21, 2004 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/12/23/ex-gov-rowland-pleads-guilty-to-corruption/ |title=Ex-Gov. Rowland Pleads Guilty to Corruption |work=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |date=December 23, 2004 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut was hit by three major storms in just over 14 months in 2011 and 2012, with all three causing extensive property damage and electric outages. Hurricane Irene struck Connecticut August 28, and damage totaled $235 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hurricane-irene-year-storm-cost-15-8-damage-florida-new-york-caribbean-article-1.1145302 |title=Hurricane Irene one year later: Storm cost $15.8 in damage from Florida to New York to the Caribbean |location=New York |work=Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> Two months later, the [[2011 Halloween nor'easter|"Halloween nor'easter"]] dropped extensive snow onto trees, resulting in snapped branches and trunks that damaged power lines; some areas were without electricity for 11 days.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/05-31-2012-ne-outage-report.pdf |title=Report on Transmission Facility Outages During the Northeast Snowstorm of October 29–30, 2011: Causes and Recommendations |publisher=[[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] and [[North American Electric Reliability Corporation]] |date=May 12, 2012 |pages=8–16 |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> Hurricane Sandy had tropical storm-force winds when it reached Connecticut October 29, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/americas/hurricane-sandy-fast-facts/ |title=Hurricane Sandy Fast Facts |work=CNN |date=July 13, 2013 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> Sandy's winds drove storm surges into streets and cut power to 98 percent of homes and businesses, with more than $360 million in damage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2012/11/16/270954.htm |title=Conn. Gov.: State's Damage From Superstorm Sandy $360M and Climbing |work=Insurance Journal |date=November 16, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
On December 14, 2012, [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting|Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people]] at [[Sandy Hook Elementary School]] in [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]], and then killed himself.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jonathan |last1=Dienst |first2=Shimon |last2=Prokupecz |title=27 Dead, Including 20 Children, in Conn. School Shooting: Police |work=NBC New York |agency=Associated Press |date=December 14, 2012 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Shooting-Reported-at-Connecticut-School-183501531.html}}</ref> The massacre spurred renewed efforts by activists for tighter laws on gun ownership nationally.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Gun Laws Enacted in the Year Since Newtown |work=The New York Times |date=December 10, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/12/10/us/state-gun-laws-enacted-in-the-year-since-newtown.html |access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>
In the summer and fall of 2016, Connecticut experienced a drought in many parts of the state, causing some water-use bans. As of {{Start date|2016|11|15}}, 45% of the state was listed at Severe Drought by the US Drought Monitor, including almost all of [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford]] and [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]] counties. All the rest of the state was in Moderate Drought or Severe Drought, including [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]], [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[New London County, Connecticut|New London]], [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham]], and [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland]] counties. This affected the agricultural economy in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CT|title=United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor|website=droughtmonitor.unl.edu|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/environment-and-nature/20160917/as-connecticuts-drought-worsens-officials-again-urge-water-conservation|title=As Connecticut's drought worsens, officials again urge water conservation|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Water-Company-Issues-Mandatory-Water-Ban-for-Mystic-Stonington-Customers-393761821.html|title=Water Company Issues Mandatory Water Ban for Parts of CT|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" caption="The 21st century in Connecticut in photos" widths="180" heights="160">
File:President George W. Bush (8003096992).jpg|Republican [[George W. Bush]] was born in Connecticut, winner in the [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] and [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]] presidential elections.
File:UA Flight 175 hits WTC south tower 9-11 edit.jpeg|[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] killed 65 people living in Connecticut.
File:CT Gov John G. Rowland.jpg|Governor [[John G. Rowland]] was arrested for corruption in 2004.
File:Hurricane irene 082811 0832 edt.jpg|[[Hurricane Irene|Tropical Storm Irene]] made landfall in Connecticut in August 2011.
File:2011 Halloween nor'easter Oct 29 2011 1805Z.jpg|The [[2011 Halloween nor'easter|2011 October nor'easter]] caused major snow damage in the state.
File:Hurricane Sandy morning October 29 2012.jpg|Category 1 [[Hurricane Sandy]] made landfall in Connecticut in October 2012, causing [[Effects of Hurricane Sandy in New England#Impact#Connecticut|heavy destruction]].
File:Police at Sandy Hook.PNG|In the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]], Adam Lanza killed 20 children and 6 adults.
File:2016 Connecticut Drought Map.png|The [[2016 Connecticut Drought]] affected the agricultural market around the state, causing water limitations to be applied on some towns.
</gallery>
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 237946
|1800= 251002
|1810= 261942
|1820= 275248
|1830= 297675
|1840= 309978
|1850= 370792
|1860= 460147
|1870= 537454
|1880= 622700
|1890= 746258
|1900= 908420
|1910= 1114756
|1920= 1380631
|1930= 1606903
|1940= 1709242
|1950= 2007280
|1960= 2535234
|1970= 3031709
|1980= 3107576
|1990= 3287116
|2000= 3405565
|2010= 3574097
|estimate= 3576452
|estyear= 2016
|footnote=<center>'''Sources:'''<ref name="PopEstUS"/><ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.census.gov/population/censusdata/table-16.pdf |title=Population: 1790 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=American FactFinder |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
}}
The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimates that the population of Connecticut was 3,590,886 on July 1, 2015, a 0.47% increase since the [[2010 United States Census]].<ref name="PopEstUS">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 26, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
As of 2015, Connecticut had an estimated population of 3,590,886,<ref name="PopEstUS"/> which is an decrease of 5,791, or -0.16%, from the prior year and an increase of 16,789, or 0.47%, since the year 2010. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 67,427 people (that is 222,222 births minus 154,795 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 41,718 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 75,991 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net loss of 34,273 people. Based on the 2005 estimates, Connecticut moved from the 29th most populous state to 30th. 2016 estimates put Connecticut's population at 3,576,452.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk|title=American FactFinder – Results|last=Bureau|first=U.S. Census|website=factfinder.census.gov|language=en|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>
6.6% of its population was reported as being under 5 years old, 24.7% under 18 years old, and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up approximately 51.6% of the population, with 48.4% male.
In 1790, 97% of the population in Connecticut was classified as "rural". The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census, only 12.3% was considered rural. Most of western and southern Connecticut (particularly the [[Gold Coast (Connecticut)|Gold Coast]]) is strongly associated with New York City; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state and has high property costs and high incomes. The [[center of population]] of Connecticut is located in the town of [[Cheshire, Connecticut|Cheshire]].<ref name=NGS/>
[[File:Connecticut population map.png|right|thumb|280px|Connecticut Population Density Map]]
===Population===
As of the [[2010 U.S. Census]], Connecticut's race and ethnic percentages were:
* 77.6% White (71.2% [[Non-Hispanic White]], 6.4% [[White Hispanic]])
* 10.1% Black or [[African American]]
* 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] and [[Alaska Native]]
* 3.8% Asian
* 0.0% [[Native Hawaiian]] and Other [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
* 5.6% from some other race
* 2.6% Two or more races
In the same year Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 13.4% of the population.<ref name=Race2010>{{cite web|title=Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin: 2010 |website=American Fact finder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>
The state's most populous ethnic group, Non-Hispanic White, has declined from 98% in 1940 to 71% in 2010.<ref>{{cite report |first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Kay |last2=Jung |date=September 2002 |title=Table 21. Connecticut - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1790 to 1990 |work=Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/REFERENCE/Hist_Pop_stats.pdf |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ '''Connecticut Racial Breakdown of Population'''
|-
! Racial composition !! 1990<ref>{{cite report |first1=Campbell |last1=Gibson |first2=Kay |last2=Jung |date=September 2002 |title=Table A-1. Race and Hispanic Origin, for the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States: 1990 |work=Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For the United States, Regions, Divisions, and States |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/REFERENCE/Hist_Pop_stats.pdf |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>!! 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |title=Race and Hispanic or Latino: 2000 |website=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>!! 2010<ref name=Race2010/>
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 87.0% || 81.6% || 77.6%
|-
| [[African American|Black]] || 8.3% || 9.1% || 10.1%
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 1.5% || 2.4% || 3.8%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]] || 0.2% || 0.3% || 0.3%
|-
| [[Native Hawaiian]] and<br />[[Pacific Islander|other Pacific Islander]] || – || – || -
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Other race]] || 2.9% || 4.3% || 5.6%
|-
| [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]] || – || 2.2% || 2.6%
|}
As of 2004, 11.4% of the population (400,000) was foreign-born. In 1870, native-born Americans had accounted for 75% of the state's population, but that had dropped to 35% by 1918.
As of 2000, 81.69% of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke English at home and 8.42% spoke Spanish, followed by Italian at 1.59%, French at 1.31% and Polish at 1.20%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=9&mode=state_tops&order=r |title=Most spoken languages in Connecticut |accessdate=January 16, 2007 |work=Language Map |publisher=The Modern Language Association |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5QjXtOOBr?url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results |archivedate=July 31, 2007 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref>
The largest European ancestry groups are:<ref>{{cite web|work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-tree_id=3308&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=04000US09&-format=&-_lang=en |title=American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates |accessdate=July 25, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804025611/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y |archivedate=August 4, 2010 }}</ref>
* 19.3% [[Italian American|Italian]]
* 17.9% [[Irish American|Irish]]
* 10.7% [[English American|English]]
* 10.4% [[German Americans|German]]
* 8.6% [[Polish American|Polish]]
* 6.6% [[Franco American|French]]
* 3.0% [[French Canadian]]
* 2.7% [[Americans|American]]
* 2.0% [[Scottish American|Scottish]]
* 1.4% [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch Irish]]
[[File:Main Street, Newtown CT.jpg|thumb|left|Main Street, [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]]]]
Connecticut has large [[Italian American]], [[Irish American]] and [[English American]] populations, as well as [[German Americans|German American]] and [[Polish American]] populations, with the Italian American population having the second highest percentage of any state, behind Rhode Island (19.3%). [[Italian American|Italian]] is the largest ancestry group in five of the state's counties, while the [[Irish American|Irish]] are the largest group in Tolland county, [[French Canadians]] the largest group in Windham county. Connecticut has the highest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any state.<ref>{{cite web|title=2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |access-date=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082905/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> African Americans and [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanics]] (mostly [[Puerto Ricans in the United States|Puerto Ricans]]) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Connecticut is also known for its relatively large [[Hungarian American]] population, the majority of which live in and around [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Naugatuck, Connecticut|Naugatuck]] and [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]. Connecticut also has a sizable [[Polish American]] population, with [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]] containing the largest [[Polish American]] population in the state.
More recent immigrant populations include those from [[Jamaica]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Mexico]], [[India]], [[Philippines]], [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]], [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Brazil]], [[Panama]], [[Cape Verde]] and former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_1YR_B04003&prodType=table |title=Total Ancestry Reported |website=American FactFinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref>
===Birth data===
As of 2011, 46.1% of Connecticut's population younger than age 1 were minorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Americans under age 1 now mostly minorities, but not in Ohio: Statistical Snapshot |last=Exner |first=Rich |date=June 3, 2012 |location=Cleveland, Ohio |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |url=http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/06/americas_under_age_1_populatio.html}}</ref>
[[File:A map showing the majority racial or ethnic group in Connecticut by census block.png|thumbnail|Majority Racial and Ethnic Groups in Connecticut, 2010]]
''Note: Births in table don't add up, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number.''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Live Births by Race/Ethnicity of Mother
|-
! [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Race]]
! 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_01.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2013 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
! 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_12.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2014 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
! 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr66/nvsr66_01.pdf|title=Connecitcut 2013 data|publisher=cdc.goc|accessdate=August 21, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[White Americans|White]]:
| 28,454 (78.8%)
| 28,543 (78.7%)
| 28,164 (78.8%)
|-
| <small>[[Non-Hispanic whites|Non-Hispanic White]]
| <small>20,704 (57.4%)
| <small>20,933 (57.7%)
| <small>20,395 (57.1%)</small>
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
| 5,103 (14.1%)
| 5,154 (14.2%)
| 4,988 (14.0%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
| 2,221 (6.2%)
| 2,280 (6.3%)
| 2,497 (7.0%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]]
| 307 (0.9%)
| 308 (0.8%)
| 97 (0.3%)
|-
| ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]'' (of any race)
| ''8,208 (22.7%)''
| ''8,129 (22.4%)''
| ''8,275 (23.1%)''
|-
| '''Total Connecticut'''
| '''36,085''' (100%)
| '''36,285''' (100%)
| '''35,746''' (100%)
|}
===Religion===
The religious affiliations of the people of Connecticut as of 2014:<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/connecticut/] (2014). Religious composition of adults in Connecticut.</ref>
*[[Christianity|Christian]]: 70%
**[[Mainline Protestant]]: 17%
**[[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Protestant]]: 13%
**[[Baptists|Baptist]]: 5%
**[[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]: <1%
**[[Lutheranism|Lutheran]]: <1%
**[[Congregationalist]]: 5%
**[[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]]: 3%
**[[Black church|Historically Black Protestant]]: 5%
**[[Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]]: 33%
**[[Mormons|Mormon]]: 1%
**[[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christian]]: 1%
**Other Christian (includes unspecified "Christian" and "Protestant"): 4%
***[[Restorationism|Restorationist]]: 1%
***[[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]]: 3%
*[[Jews|Jewish]]: 3%
*[[Hindu]]: 1%
*[[Islam|Muslim]]: 1%
*[[Buddhist]]: 1%
*Other religions: 2%
*Non-religious: 23%
**[[Atheism|Atheist]]: 5%
**[[Agnosticism|Agnostic]]: 4%
**Nothing in particular: 14%
A Pew survey of Connecticut residents' religious self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations: Protestant 27%, [[Mormonism]] 0.5%, Jewish 1%, [[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] 43%, Orthodox 1%, [[Non-religious]] 23%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Hinduism 0.5%, Buddhism 1% and Islam 0.5%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religions.pewforum.org/maps|title=Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics – Pew Research Center|date=May 11, 2015|work=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project}}</ref> [[Jewish American|Jewish congregations]] had 108,280 (3.2%) members in 2000.<ref name="www.thearda.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/s/05/rcms2010_05_state_adh_2010.asp |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report |publisher=www.thearda.com |accessdate=November 7, 2013}}</ref> The Jewish population is concentrated in the towns near Long Island Sound between [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] and [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], in [[Greater New Haven]] and in [[Greater Hartford]], especially the suburb of [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]]. According to the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]], the largest Christian denominations, by number of adherents, in 2010 were: the [[Catholic Church]], with 1,252,936; the [[United Church of Christ]], with 96,506; and non-denominational Evangelical Protestants, with 72,863.<ref name="www.thearda.com" />
Recent immigration has brought other non-Christian religions to the state, but the numbers of adherents of other religions are still low. Connecticut is also home to New England's largest Protestant Church: [[The First Cathedral]] in [[Bloomfield, Connecticut]] located in [[Hartford County]]. Hartford is seat to the Roman Catholic [[Archdiocese of Hartford]], which is sovereign over the [[Diocese of Bridgeport]] and the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich|Diocese of Norwich]].
=== Largest cities and towns ===
# [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]], 144,229
# [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], 129,779
# [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], 124,775
# [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], 122,643
# [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], 110,366
# [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], 85,603
# [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], 80,893
# [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], 73,206
# [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]], 63,268
# [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], 61,171
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" caption="The largest cities in the state">
File:PostcardRRstaBridgeportCT1916.jpg|[[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]
File:New Haven.JPG|[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
File:HartfordStreets.jpg|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
File:Stamford2.jpg|[[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]
File:Union Station train depot in Waterbury, Connecticut LCCN2012631621.tif|[[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]]
</gallery>
==Economy==
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
[[File:Welcome Connecticut.jpg|thumb|left|Connecticut state welcome sign in [[Enfield, Connecticut]]]]
The total [[gross state product]] for 2012 was $229.3 billion, up from $225.4 billion in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product by State for Connecticut |url=http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CTNGSP |publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |accessdate=May 15, 2014}}</ref>
Connecticut's [[Per capita personal income in the United States|per capita personal income]] in 2013 was estimated at $60,847, the highest of any state.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2014/pdf/spi0314.pdf |title=State Personal Income 2013 |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce |date=March 25, 2014 |accessdate=May 15, 2014}}</ref> There is, however, a great disparity in incomes throughout the state; after New York, Connecticut had the second largest gap nationwide between the average incomes of the top 1 percent and the average incomes of the bottom 99 percent.<ref>{{cite report |first1=Estelle |last1=Sommeiller |first2=Mark |last2=Price |date=February 19, 2014 |title=The Increasingly Unequal States of America: Income Inequality by State, 1917 to 2011 |publisher=The Economic Policy Institute |access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref> According to a 2013 study by Phoenix Marketing International, Connecticut had the third-largest number of millionaires per capita in the United States, with a ratio of 7.32 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |title=Top states for millionaires per capita |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/101338309 |work=CNBC |accessdate=January 22, 2014}}</ref> [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]], [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]] and [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] also have per capita incomes over $65,000. [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] is the poorest municipality in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428 in 2000.<ref name="CTincome2000">{{cite report |title=Connecticut per capita income, median household income, and median family income at State, County and Town level: Census 2000 data |format=[[Microsoft Excel file format|XLS]] |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.ct.gov/ecd/lib/ecd/economic_data/income/2000_median_hh,_family_&_per_cap_income.xls |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Merritt Parkway.jpg|thumb|Entering the Merritt Parkway from New York in [[Greenwich, Connecticut]]]]
The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May 2016 was 5.7 percent, the 41st highest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics|url=http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
===Taxation===
Before 1991, Connecticut had an investment-only [[income tax]] system. Income from employment was untaxed, but income from investments was taxed at 13%, the highest rate in the U.S., with no deductions allowed for costs of producing the investment income, such as interest on borrowing.
In 1991, under Governor [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], an Independent, the system was changed to one in which the taxes on employment income and investment income were equalized at a maximum rate of 4%. The new tax policy drew investment firms to Connecticut; as of 2014, [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] was home to the headquarters for 14 of the 200 largest [[hedge fund]]s in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hfalert.com/documents/FG/hsp/hfa-rankings/459569_Top200Managers.pdf |title=Top 200 Hedge Fund Managers |website=Hedge Fund Alert |subscription=yes}}</ref>
As of 2014, the income tax rates on Connecticut individuals are divided into six tax brackets of 3% (on income up to $10,000); 5% ($10,000-$50,000); 5.5% ($50,000-$100,000); 6% ($100,000-$200,000); 6.5% ($200,000-$250,000); and 6.7% (more than $250,000), with additional amounts owed depending on the bracket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tax-brackets.org/connecticuttaxtable |title=Connecticut Income Tax Brackets |website=Tax-Brackets.org |date=2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
All wages of Connecticut residents are subject to the state's income tax, even if earned outside the state. However, in those cases, Connecticut income tax must be withheld only to the extent the Connecticut tax exceeds the amount withheld by the other jurisdiction. Since New York and Massachusetts have higher tax rates than Connecticut, this effectively means that Connecticut residents that work in those states have no Connecticut income tax withheld. Connecticut permits a credit for taxes paid to other jurisdictions, but since residents who work in other states are still subject to Connecticut income taxation, they may owe taxes if the jurisdictional credit does not fully offset the Connecticut tax amount.
Connecticut levies a 6.35% state [[sales tax]] on the retail sale, lease, or rental of most goods.<ref name="2011Sect6Summary">{{cite web |title=Summary of Tax Provisions Contained in 2011 Conn. Pub. Acts 6 |website=Department of Revenue Services |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1514&Q=480936 |date=June 10, 2011 |accessdate=July 6, 2011}}</ref> Some items and services in general are not subject to sales and use taxes unless specifically enumerated as taxable by [[statute]]. A provision excluding clothing under $50 from sales tax was repealed as of July 1, 2011.<ref name =2011Sect6Summary /> There are no additional sales taxes imposed by local jurisdictions. In August 2013, Connecticut authorized a sales tax "holiday" for one week during which retailers did not have to remit sales tax on certain items and quantities of clothing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kelly |last=Phillips Erb |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/07/17/get-ready-to-shop-state-sales-tax-holidays-are-back/ |title=Get Ready To Shop: State Sales Tax Holidays Are Back! |work=Forbes |date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
All real and personal property located within the state of Connecticut is taxable unless specifically exempted by statute. All assessments are at 70% of [[fair market value]]. Another 20% of the value may be taxed by the local government though. The maximum property tax credit is $300 per return and any excess may not be refunded or carried forward.<ref name="inctax">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2014forms/incometax/ct-1040_booklet.pdf |title=2014 CT-1040 Connecticut Resident Income Tax Return and Instructions |website=Department of Revenue Services |publisher=State of Connecticut |p=31 |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut does not levy an intangible personal [[property tax]]. According to the [[Tax Foundation]], the 2010 Census data shows Connecticut residents paying the 2nd highest average property taxes in the nation with only New Jersey ahead of them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Highest Property Taxes in the Country |work=CNN Money|url=http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/30/pf/taxes/highest_property_taxes/index.htm |date=September 30, 2010 |accessdate=September 30, 2010 |last=Christie |first=Les |location=New York}}</ref>
The Tax Foundation determined Connecticut residents had the third highest burden in the nation for state and local taxes at 11.86%, or $7,150, compared to the national average of 9.8%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taxfoundation.org/state-tax-climate/connecticut |title=Connecticut: The Facts on Connecticut's Tax Climate |website=The Tax Foundation |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
As of 2014, the gasoline tax in Connecticut is 49.3 cents per gallon (the third highest in the nation) and the diesel tax is 54.9 cents per gallon (the highest in the nation).<ref>{{cite news |first1=Alexander E.M. |last1=Hess |first2=Thomas C. |last2=Frohlich |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/20/24-7-wall-st-state-gas-taxes/22056799/ |title=States with the highest (and lowest) gas taxes |work=USA Today |date=January 20, 2015 |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
===Real estate===
Of home-sale transactions that closed in March 2014, the median home in Connecticut sold for $225,000, up 3.2% from March 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewarrengroup.com/2014/05/connecticut-single-family-home-sales-post-modest-increase-in-march/ |title=Connecticut Single-Family Home Sales Post Modest Increase In March |publisher=The Warren Group |location=Boston |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> Connecticut ranked ninth nationally in foreclosure activity as of April 2014, with one of every 887 residential units involved in a foreclosure proceeding, or 0.11% of the total housing stock.,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.realtytrac.com/Content/foreclosure-market-report/april-2014-us-foreclosure-market-report-8059 |title=U.S. Foreclosure Activity Decreases 1 Percent in April Despite 1 Percent Increase in Bank Repossessions |publisher=RealtyTrac |location=Irvine, California |date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> including [[City Place I]] and the [[Travelers Tower|Traveler's Tower]], both housing the major [[Insurance in the United States|insurance]] industry.
===Industries===
Finance and insurance is Connecticut's largest industry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, generating 16.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. Major financial industry employers include [[The Hartford]], [[The Travelers Companies|Travelers]], [[Cigna]], [[Aetna]], [[Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company|Mass Mutual]], [[People's United Bank|People's United Financial]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchTopList.asp?intSort=6 |title=Search Results for the 100 largest employers in Connecticut |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> [[Royal Bank of Scotland]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/RBS-4-800-job-cuts-might-only-scratch-Stamford-2490307.php |title=RBS' 4,800 job cuts might only scratch Stamford operation |work=Connecticut Post |date=January 12, 2012 |accessdate=May 16, 2014 |last=Varnon |first=Rob}}</ref> [[UBS]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Varnon |first=Rob |url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Stamford-could-gain-from-UBS-exit-of-New-York-4493312.php |title=Stamford could gain from UBS exit of New York space |work=Connecticut Post |date=May 6, 2013 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> [[Bridgewater Associates]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/204391481/bridgewater-associates-is-the-world-s-largest-hedge-fund-firm-for-fourth-straight-year-says-institutional-investor-s-alpha |title=Bridgewater Associates is the world's largest hedge fund firm for the fourth straight year says Institutional Investor's Alpha |work=EIN News |date=May 16, 2014 |accessdate=May 28, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114711/http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/204391481/bridgewater-associates-is-the-world-s-largest-hedge-fund-firm-for-fourth-straight-year-says-institutional-investor-s-alpha |archivedate=May 17, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> and [[GE Capital]]. Separately, the real estate industry accounted for an additional 15% of economic activity in 2009, with major employers including [[Realogy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realogy.com/media/pr/show_release.cfm?id=1530 |title=Gov. Malloy: Global Leader in Corporate Relocation Management Services to Expand and Grow Jobs in Danbury |publisher=Realogy |date=April 17, 2014 |accessdate=May 16, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052121/http://www.realogy.com/media/pr/show_release.cfm?id=1530 |archivedate=May 29, 2014 }}</ref> and William Raveis Real Estate.<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor">{{cite web|url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchMain_keywordList.asp |title=Employer List – Search Results: Raveis |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905172918/http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchMain_keywordList.asp |archivedate=September 5, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref>
[[File:HartordBldgsSkyline.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford Skyline]]]]
Manufacturing is the third biggest industry at 11.9% of GDP and dominated by Hartford-based [[United Technologies Corporation]] (UTC), which employs more than 22,000 people in Connecticut.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Brian |last1=Dowling |first2=Kenneth R. |last2=Gosselin |url=http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-26/business/hc-malloy-united-technologies-east-hartford-20140226_1_united-technologies-corp-utc-aerospace-systems-connecticut-home |title=Tax Breaks Encourage United Technologies To Stay In State |work=Hartford Courant |date=February 26, 2014 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> [[Lockheed Martin]] subsidiary [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] operates Connecticut's single largest manufacturing plant in [[Stratford, Connecticut|Stratford]],<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor"/> where it makes helicopters. Other UTC divisions include UTC Propulsion and Aerospace Systems, including jet engine manufacturer [[Pratt & Whitney]] and UTC Building and Industrial Systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.utc.com/Our-Company/Pages/Key-Facts.aspx |title=Our Businesses |website=United Technologies Corp |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
Other major manufacturers include the [[Electric Boat]] division of [[General Dynamics]], which makes submarines in [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdeb.com/about/history/ |title=EB History |publisher=General Dynamics Electric Boat |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref> and [[Boehringer Ingelheim]], a pharmaceuticals manufacturer with its U.S. headquarters in [[Ridgefield, Connecticut|Ridgefield]].<ref name="Connecticut Department of Labor"/>
Connecticut historically was a center of gun manufacturing, and four gun-manufacturing firms continued to operate in the state as of December 2012, employing 2,000 people: [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]], [[Stag Arms|Stag]], [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.|Ruger]], and [[O.F. Mossberg & Sons|Mossberg]].<ref name="NYT122312">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/nyregion/gun-makers-based-in-connecticut-form-a-potent-lobby.html | title=Gun Makers Use Home Leverage in Connecticut | work=The New York Times | date=December 23, 2012 | accessdate=December 24, 2012 | first1=Ray | last1=Rivera | last2=Cowan | first2=Alison Leigh}}</ref> [[Marlin Firearms|Marlin]], owned by [[Remington Arms|Remington]], closed in April 2011.<ref name="Courant010111">{{cite news | url=http://articles.courant.com/2011-04-01/business/hc-marlin-firearms-20110401_1_john-m-marlin-frank-kenna-remington-arms | title=Marlin Firearms Closes In North Haven, Ending 141 Years of Manufacturing In Connecticut | work=Hartford Courant | date=April 1, 2011 | last=Sturdevant | first=Matthew}}</ref>
A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism on December 7, 2006 demonstrated that the areas of the arts, film, history, and tourism generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs annually. This provides $9 billion in personal income for Connecticut residents and $1.7 billion in state and local revenue.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/lib/cct/Econ_Summary_Web2_%282%29.pdf |title=Culture & Tourism: The Economic Impact of the Arts, Film, History, and Tourism Industries in Connecticut (Highlights) |publisher=Commission on Culture and Tourism}}</ref> The [[Foxwoods Resort Casino]] and [[Mohegan Sun]] casino number among the state's largest employers;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/EmpSearchTopList.asp?intSort=6 |title=Search Results for the 25 largest employers in Connecticut |website=Labor Market Information |publisher=Connecticut Department of Labor |date=March 17, 2015 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> both are located on Indian reservations in the eastern part of Connecticut.
<!--- The following is hidden because it is incomprehensible jargon; please do not reinsert this without translating it into sensible language: Nonprofit organizations register in Connecticut under the local statutory provisions and therefore affect taxation and governance mechanisms. For instance, the headquarters of the [[Connecticut Food Bank]], now located in Wallingford, were previously located in New Haven, where the non-profit was established in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305154 |title=Nutritional Assistance Programs |date=September 4, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |website=Department of Social Services |publisher=State of Connecticut}}</ref> --->
Connecticut's agricultural sector employed about 12,000 people as of 2010, with more than a quarter of that number involved in [[Nursery (horticulture)|nursery stock]] production. Other agricultural products include [[dairy product]]s and [[egg (food)|eggs]], [[Connecticut shade tobacco|tobacco]], [[commercial fishing|fish]] and [[shellfish]], and [[fruit]].<ref>{{cite report |title=Economic Impacts of Connecticut's Agricultural Industry |first1=Rigoberto A. |last1=Lopez |display-authors=etal |url=http://www.zwickcenter.uconn.edu/documents/RLopezEconomicimpacts.pdf |publisher=Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut and Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis |date=September 2010 |accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
[[Oyster]] harvesting was historically an important source of income to towns along the Connecticut coastline. In the 19th century, oystering boomed in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Norwalk and achieved modest success in neighboring towns. In 1911, Connecticut's oyster production reached its peak at nearly 25 million pounds of oyster meats. This was, at the time, higher than production in New York, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/oystering-in-connecticut-from-colonial-times-to-today/ |website=Connecticut History |title=Oystering in Connecticut, from Colonial Times to the 21st Century |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> During this time, the Connecticut coast was known in the shellfishing industry as the oyster capital of the world. From before World War 1 until 1969, Connecticut laws restricted the right to harvest oysters in state-owned beds to sailing vessels. These laws prompted the construction of the oyster sloop style vessel that lasted well into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound |first=Tom |last=Andersen |publisher=Yale University Press |date=2004 |orig-year=2002 |edition=revised |p=90 |url={{google books|WsvwJKNIewsC|plainurl=yes|page=90}} |isbn=978-0-3001-0287-1}}</ref> The sloop {{ship||Hope|sloop|2}} is believed to be the last oyster sloop built in Connecticut, completed in [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] in 1948.
==Transportation==
{{main article|Transportation in Connecticut}}
===Roads===
{{main article |List of State Routes in Connecticut}}
The [[Interstate highway]]s in the state are [[Interstate 95 in Connecticut|Interstate 95]] (I-95; the [[Connecticut Turnpike]]) traveling southwest to northeast along the coast, [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|I-84]] traveling southwest to northeast in the center of the state, [[Interstate 91 in Connecticut|I-91]] traveling north to south in the center of the state, and [[Interstate 395 in Connecticut|I-395]] traveling north to south near the eastern border of the state. The other major highways in Connecticut are the [[Merritt Parkway]] and [[Wilbur Cross Parkway]], which together form [[Connecticut Route 15]] (Route 15), traveling from the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] in [[New York City|New York]] parallel to I-95 before turning north of [[New Haven]] and traveling parallel to I-91, finally becoming a surface road in [[Berlin, Connecticut|Berlin]]. I-95 and Route 15 were originally [[toll road]]s; they relied on a system of [[toll plaza]]s at which all traffic stopped and paid fixed tolls. A series of terrible crashes at these plazas eventually contributed to the decision to remove the tolls in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/ct-turnpike/ |title=Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) |website=NYC Roads |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Other major arteries in the state include [[U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut|U.S. Route 7]] (US 7) in the west traveling parallel to the New York state line, [[Connecticut Route 8|Route 8]] farther east near the industrial city of Waterbury and traveling north–south along the Naugatuck River Valley nearly parallel with US 7, and [[Connecticut Route 9]] in the east.
Between New Haven and New York City, I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Although I-95 has been widened in several spots, some areas are only 3 lanes and this strains traffic capacity, resulting in frequent and lengthy [[rush hour]] delays. Frequently, the congestion spills over to clog the parallel Merritt Parkway and even US 1. The state has encouraged traffic reduction schemes, including rail use and [[carpool|ride-sharing]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ctrides.com/ways-to-commute/carpool | title=Ways to Commute |website= CT rides |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref>
Connecticut also has a very active bicycling community, with one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership and use in the United States. New Haven's cycling community, organized in a local advocacy group called [[ElmCityCycling]], is particularly active. According to the US Census 2006 American Community Survey, New Haven has the highest percentage of commuters who bicycle to work of any major metropolitan center on the East Coast.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
===Rail===
[[File:Metro-North train 1567 enters Stamford.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A [[Metro-North Railroad]] [[New Haven Line]] train leaving [[Stamford Transportation Center|Stamford Station]]]]
Rail is a popular travel mode between New Haven and New York City's [[Grand Central Terminal]]. Southwestern Connecticut is served by the [[Metro-North Railroad]]'s [[New Haven Line]], operated by the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] and providing commuter service to New York City and New Haven, with branches servicing [[New Canaan Branch|New Canaan]], [[Danbury Branch|Danbury]], and [[Waterbury Branch|Waterbury]]. Connecticut lies along [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] which features frequent [[Northeast Regional]] and [[Acela Express]] service from New Haven south to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Norfolk, VA.
Coastal cities and towns between New Haven and New London are also served by the [[Shore Line East]] commuter line. Several new stations were completed along the Connecticut shoreline recently, and a commuter rail service called the [[Hartford Line]] between New Haven and Springfield on Amtrak's [[New Haven-Springfield Line]] is scheduled to begin operating in 2018. A proposed commuter rail service, the [[Central Corridor Rail Line]], will connect New London with [[Norwich, CT|Norwich]], [[Willimantic, CT|Willimantic]], [[Storrs, CT|Storrs]], and [[Stafford Springs, CT|Stafford Springs]], with service continuing into [[Massachusetts]] and [[Brattleboro, VT|Brattleboro]]. Amtrak also operates a shuttle service between New Haven and [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], serving Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor Locks, and Springfield, MA and the [[Vermonter (train)|Vermonter]] runs from Washington to St. Albans, Vermont via the same line.
===Bus===
Statewide [[bus]] service is supplied by [[Connecticut Transit]], owned by the [[Connecticut Department of Transportation]], with smaller municipal authorities providing local service. Bus networks are an important part of the transportation system in Connecticut, especially in urban areas like Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and New Haven. Connecticut Transit also operates [[CTfastrak]], a [[bus rapid transit]] service between [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]] and [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. The bus route opened to the public on March 28, 2015.<ref name=march28>{{cite press release |url=http://ctfastrak.com/about/news/news-releases/13-media-releases/279-03-28-15-despite-snow-thousands-of-riders-many-first-timers-experience-ctfastrak-on-first-day-of-service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911222239/http://ctfastrak.com/about/news/news-releases/13-media-releases/279-03-28-15-despite-snow-thousands-of-riders-many-first-timers-experience-ctfastrak-on-first-day-of-service |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |title=Despite Snow, Thousands of Riders, Many First-Timers, Experience CTfastrak on First Day of Service |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=March 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name=CTfastrak>{{cite web|title=What Is CTfastrak|url=http://www.ctfastrak.com/about/what-is-ctfastrak|publisher=State of Connecticut|accessdate=October 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=LaPorte|first1=Mike|title=The Busway to the Future: Insider to CTfastrak before Opening to Public|url=http://livewiremcc.org/2014/11/05/the-busway-to-the-future-insider-to-ctfastrak-before-opening-to-public/|accessdate=December 11, 2014|work=The Live Wire|agency=Manchester Community College|date=November 5, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Florida 148.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bradley International Airport]], the state's largest airport ]]
===Air===
[[Bradley International Airport]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gonewengland.about.com/od/planyourtrip/tp/New-England-Airports.htm|title=List of New England Airports|work=About.com Travel|access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref> is located in [[Windsor Locks]], {{convert|15|mile|km}} north of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. Many residents of central and southern Connecticut also make heavy use of [[JFK International Airport]] and [[Newark International Airport]]s, especially for international travel. Smaller regional air service is provided at [[Tweed New Haven Regional Airport]]. Larger civil airports include [[Danbury Municipal Airport]] and [[Waterbury-Oxford Airport]] in western Connecticut, [[Hartford–Brainard Airport]] in central Connecticut, and [[Groton-New London Airport]] in eastern Connecticut. [[Sikorsky Memorial Airport]] is located in Stratford and mostly services cargo, helicopter and private aviation.
===Ferry===
The [[Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry]] travels between [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]] and [[Port Jefferson, New York]] by crossing [[Long Island Sound]]. Ferry service also operates out of [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] to [[Orient, New York]]; [[Fishers Island, New York]]; and [[Block Island, Rhode Island]], which are popular tourist destinations. Small local services operate the [[Rocky Hill – Glastonbury Ferry]] and the [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]] which cross the Connecticut River.
==Law and government==
{{Main article|Law of Connecticut|Administrative divisions of Connecticut}}
{{ct law}}
[[File:Connecticut State Capitol, February 24, 2008.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Connecticut State Capitol]] in downtown Hartford]]
[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Before then, [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] and Hartford alternated as capitals.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
===Constitutional history===
{{Main article|History of the Connecticut Constitution}}
Connecticut is known as the "Constitution State". The origin of this nickname is uncertain, but it likely comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787, during which [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Oliver Ellsworth]] helped to orchestrate what became known as the [[Connecticut Compromise]], or the Great Compromise. This plan combined the [[Virginia Plan]] and the [[New Jersey Plan]] to form a bicameral legislature, a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal constitution. Variations of the bicameral legislature had been proposed by Virginia and New Jersey, but Connecticut's plan was the one that was in effect until the early 20th century, when Senators ceased to be selected by their state legislatures and were instead directly elected. Otherwise, it is still the design of Congress.
The nickname also might refer to the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]] of 1638–39. These Fundamental Orders represent the framework for the first formal Connecticut state government written by a representative body in Connecticut. The State of Connecticut government has operated under the direction of four separate documents in the course of the state's [[History of the Connecticut Constitution|constitutional history]]. After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King [[Charles II of England]] through the Connecticut Charter of 1662.
Separate branches of government did not exist during this period, and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A constitution similar to the modern [[U.S. Constitution]] was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818. Finally, the current state constitution was implemented in 1965. The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor, but incorporated a handful of important modifications.
===Executive===
The governor heads the executive branch. {{As of|2011}}, [[Dannel Malloy]] is the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|Governor]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.ct.gov/Departments_and_Agencies/Office_of_the_Governor/About/Governor_Malloy_s_Biography/ | title=Governor Malloy's Biography | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Portal.CT.gov | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> and [[Nancy Wyman]] is the [[List of Lieutenant Governors of Connecticut|Lieutenant Governor]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.ct.gov/Departments_and_Agencies/Office_of_the_Lieutenant_Governor/About/Lt__Governor_s_Biography/ | title=Lt. Governor's Biography | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Portal.CT.gov | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> both are Democrats. Malloy, the former mayor of [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], won the [[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 general election]] for Governor, and was sworn in on January 5, 2011. From 1639 until the adoption of the 1818 constitution, the governor presided over the General Assembly. In 1974, [[Ella Grasso]] was elected as the governor of Connecticut. This was the first time in United States history when a woman was a governor without her husband being governor first.<ref name=Pumont/>
There are several executive departments: Administrative Services, Agriculture, Banking, Children and Families, Consumer Protection, Correction, Economic and Community Development, [[Connecticut Department of Developmental Services|Developmental Services]], Construction Services, Education, Emergency Management and Public Protection, Energy & Environmental Protection, Higher Education, Insurance, Labor, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Military, Motor Vehicles, Public Health, Public Utility Regulatory Authority, Public Works, Revenue Services, Social Services, [[Connecticut Department of Transportation|Transportation]], and Veterans Affairs. In addition to these departments, there are other independent bureaus, offices and commissions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal.ct.gov/Department-and-Agencies/ |title=Departments and Agencies |website=Portal.CT.gov |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
In addition to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, there are four other executive officers named in the state constitution that are elected directly by voters: Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four-year terms.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
===Legislative===
The legislature is the [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]. The General Assembly is a [[bicameral]] body consisting of an upper body, the [[Connecticut Senate|State Senate]] (36 senators); and a lower body, the [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] (151 representatives).<ref name="AboutCT"/> Bills must pass each house in order to become law. The governor can veto the bill, but this veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in each house. Per Article XV of the state constitution, Senators and Representatives must be at least 18 years of age and are elected to two-year terms in November on even-numbered years. There also must always be between 30 and 50 senators and 125 to 225 representatives. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate, except when absent from the chamber, when the [[President pro tempore]] presides. The [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker of the House]] presides over the House.<ref name ="CT_CONST">{{cite web |title=Constitution of the State of Connecticut |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?A=3188&Q=392288 |date=April 21, 2009 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, [[Brendan Sharkey]] is the Speaker of the House of Connecticut.
{{As of|2015}}, Connecticut's [[United States Senators]] are [[Richard Blumenthal]] (Democrat) and [[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Chris Murphy]] (Democrat).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.senate.gov/states/CT/intro.htm | title=Connecticut | publisher=U.S. Senate | work=States in the Senate | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut has five [[U.S. Congressional Delegations from Connecticut|representatives in the U.S. House]], all of whom are Democrats.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_ct | title=Connecticut | publisher=U.S. House of Representatives | work=Directory of Representatives | access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
Locally elected representatives also develop [[Local ordinance]]s to govern cities and towns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/ordinances.htm |title=Connecticut Ordinances and Charters by Town |website=Judicial Branch Law Libraries |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> The town ordinances often include [[noise pollution#Human|noise control]] and [[zoning]] guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/NewtownCT_Police/Ord%20Folder/Ordinances/262 |title=Newtown Noise Control Ordinance |website=Town of Newtown |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511122630/http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/NewtownCT_Police/Ord%20Folder/Ordinances/262 |archivedate=May 11, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> However, the State of Connecticut does also provide statewide ordinances for noise control as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sec. 22a-69-1 to 22a-69-7.4: Control of Noise |website=Department of Environmental Protection |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/regulations/title_22a/069.pdf |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
===Judicial===
The highest [[court]] of Connecticut's judicial branch is the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]], headed by the Chief Justice of Connecticut. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. Its proceedings are similar to those of the United States Supreme Court, with no testimony given by witnesses, and the lawyers of the two sides each present oral arguments no longer than thirty minutes. Following a court proceeding, the court may take several months to arrive at a judgment. {{As of|2015|}} the [[Chief Justice]] is [[Chase T. Rogers]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jud.state.ct.us/external/supapp/justiceRogers.html | title=Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Biographies of Supreme Court Justices, Judicial Branch | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
In 1818, the court became a separate entity, independent of the legislative and executive branches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.state.ct.us/ystday/history.html |title=About Connecticut Courts: History of the Courts |website=Judicial Branch |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=February 20, 2007}}</ref> The Appellate Court is a lesser statewide court and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states.
The State of Connecticut also offers access to [[Arrest warrant]] enforcement statistics through the Office of Policy and Management.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2969&Q=383588&opm_Nav_GID=1797 |title=Monthly Arrest Warrant Report |website=Office of Policy and Management |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=October 1, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
===Local government===
{{See also|Administrative divisions of Connecticut}}
::''and several lists:'' [[List of municipalities of Connecticut by population]], [[List of towns in Connecticut]], [[List of cities in Connecticut]], [[Borough (Connecticut)]], [[List of counties in Connecticut]]
Connecticut does not have [[County (United States)|county]] government, unlike all other states except Rhode Island. Connecticut county governments were mostly eliminated in 1960, with the exception of [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriffs]] elected in each county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3188&q=392376 |website=State Register and Manual |publisher=State of Connecticut |title=Section VI: Counties |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> In 2000, the county sheriff was abolished and replaced with the [[Connecticut State Marshal|state marshal]] system, which has districts that follow the old county territories. The judicial system is divided into judicial districts at the trial-court level which largely follow the old county lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/directory/location/Default.htm |title=Judicial District Courts Staff Directory |website=State of Connecticut Judicial Branch |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> The [[list of Connecticut counties|eight counties]] are still widely used for purely geographical and statistical purposes, such as [[Weather forecasting|weather reports]] and census reporting.
Connecticut shares with the rest of [[New England]] a governmental institution called the [[New England town]]. The state is divided into 169 towns which serve as the fundamental political jurisdictions.<ref name="AboutCT"/> There are also 21 cities,<ref name="AboutCT"/> most of which simply follow the boundaries of their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are two exceptions: the [[Groton (city), Connecticut|City of Groton]], which is a subsection of the [[Groton (town), Connecticut|Town of Groton]], and the City of [[Winsted, Connecticut|Winsted]] in the Town of [[Winchester, Connecticut|Winchester]]. There are also nine incorporated [[Borough (Connecticut)|boroughs]] which may provide additional services to a section of town.<ref name="AboutCT"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Town Elections, Boroughs in Connecticut with Date of Incorporation |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=June 19, 2013 |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3188&q=392430#CITIES_IN_CONNECTICUT_WITH_DATE_OF_INCORPORATION |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> [[Naugatuck]] is a consolidated town and borough.
The state is also divided into 15 [[Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Regions|planning regions]] defined by the state Office of Planning and Management, with the exception of the Town of Stafford in Tolland County.<ref name="OPM">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2985&q=383124 |title=Regional Planning Coordination |website=Office of Policy and Management |publisher=State of Connecticut |accessdate=July 25, 2010}}</ref> The Intragovernmental Policy Division of this Office coordinates regional planning with the administrative bodies of these regions. Each region has an administrative body known as a regional council of governments, a regional council of elected officials, or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations".<ref name="OPM"/>
==Politics==
{{Further information |Political party strength in Connecticut|Elections in Connecticut}}
[[File:Connecticut Political Party Registration 1958 - 2012.png|thumb|Connecticut political party registration 1958–2012 marked with presidential influence]]
===Registered voters===
Connecticut residents who register to vote have the option of declaring an affiliation to a political party, may become unaffiliated at will, and may change affiliations subject to certain waiting periods. {{as of|2016}} about 60% of registered voters are enrolled (just over 1% total in 28 [[Third party (politics)|third parties]] minor parties), and ratios among unaffiliated voters and the two major parties are about 8 unaffiliated for every 7 in the [[Democratic Party of Connecticut]] and for every 4 in the [[Connecticut Republican Party]].
(Among the minor parties, the [[Libertarian Party of Connecticut|Libertarian Party]] and [[Connecticut Green Party|Green Party]] appeared in the Presidential-electors column in 2016, and drew, respectively, 2.96% and 1.39% of the vote.)
Many Connecticut towns and cities show a marked preference for moderate candidates of either party.{{Ref}}
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Connecticut voter registration and party enrollment as of October 26, 2016<ref>{{cite web|title = NEW RECORD FOR NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN CONNECTICUT! | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | format = PDF | accessdate = December 10, 2016 | url = http://ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/releases/2016/10-28-2016_-_record_registrations.pdf}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Percentage
|-
{{party color|U.S. Taxpayers Party}}
| Unaffiliated
| style="text-align:center;"| 831,436
| style="text-align:center;"| 39.59%
|-
{{party color|Democratic Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Democratic Party of Connecticut|Democratic]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 790,188
| style="text-align:center;"| 37.63%
|-
{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Connecticut Republican Party|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 452,243
| style="text-align:center;"| 21.54%
|-
{{party color|Independent (United States)}}
| [[Independent Party of Connecticut|Independent]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 21,216
| style="text-align:center;"| 1.01%
|-
{{party color|Libertarian Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Libertarian Party of Connecticut|Libertarian]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,561
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.12%
|-
{{party color|Green Party (Connecticut)}}
| [[Connecticut Green Party|Green]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 1,827
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.09%
|-
{{party color|Working Families Party}}
| [[Working Families Party|Working Families]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 323
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.02%
|-
{{party color|Jacksonian Party (United States)}}
| 24 other minor parties without<br>statewide enrollment privileges
| style="text-align:center;"| 226
| style="text-align:center;"| 0.01%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! style="text-align:center;"| 2,100,020
! style="text-align:center;"| 100%
|}
===Political office===
Elections in Connecticut take place mostly at the levels of town and/or city, state legislative districts for both houses, Congressional districts, and statewide. In almost all races, the two major parties have some practical advantages granted on the basis of their respective performances in the most recent election covering the same constituency. Several processes, to varying degrees internal to either a major or minor party, are in practice nearly prerequisites to being permitted mention on the provided ballots, and even more so to winning office.
More specifically, the status of "major party" is usually reconfirmed every four years, as belonging to the two parties that polled best, statewide, in the gubernatorial column; this status includes the benefit of appearing in one of the top two rows on the ballot provided the party has at least one candidate on the ballot. Minor parties appear below major parties, and their performance in recent elections determines whether a candidates who wins in their nomination process must also meet a petitioning threshold in order to appear.
In a major party, a party convention for the office's constituency must be held; in practice, at the town level, a major party convention of voters of the town who are enrolled in the party usually is attended almost exclusively by members of the town party committee. The convention may choose to endorse a candidate, who will appear on the ballot unless additional candidates meet a petition threshold for a primary election; if at least one candidate meets the petition threshold, the endorsed candidate and all who meet the threshold appear on the primary ballot, and the winner of the primary election appears on the party line for that office.
A candidate wishing to run on the ballot line of a minor-party which has recently enough met a general-election vote threshold follows similar steps; candidates of other minor parties must meet petition thresholds, and if other candidates of the same party, for the same office, do so as well, only the winner of a resulting primary will appear on the ballot.
Campaigns by candidates not on the ballot generally are entirely symbolic, and while any voter can cast a write-in ballot, write-in ballots are not even tallied by election officials, except for candidates who have submitted a formal request that the tally be made.
In short, most winning candidates have won the endorsement of the applicable "major"-party convention; nearly all of the rest have won with a "professionally managed" primary-election campaign; and successful minor-party candidates are almost without exception major-party figures like [[Lowell Weicker]] whose minor parties disappear after that success. [[A Connecticut Party]], which Weicker founded, became nominally the leading major party, and state law was changed during his administration to provide that in a situation such as his win, the top "three" parties in the governor's race all became major parties.
[[Chris Murphy (Connecticut politician)|Chris Murphy]] and [[Richard Blumenthal]] are Connecticut's [[United States Senate|U.S. senators]]; both are Democrats.
===Republican areas===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:2em; text-align: center;"
|+ Presidential election results<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential General Election Results Comparison – Connecticut |publisher=Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections |url=http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/compare.php?year=2004&fips=9&f=0&off=0&elect=0&type=state |year=2005 |accessdate=January 20, 2007}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="2" | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! scope="col" colspan="2" | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
! scope="col" | Percent !! scope="col" | Absolute
! scope="col" | Percent !! scope="col" | Absolute
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 40.94%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 673,139
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 54.57%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 897,281
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 40.73%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 634,892
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 58.06%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 905,083
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 38.22%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 629,428
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 60.59%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 997,773
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 43.95%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 693,826
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 54.31%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 857,488
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 38.44%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 561,094
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 55.91%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 816,015
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1996|1996]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 34.69%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 483,109
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 52.83%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 735,740
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 35.78%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 578,313
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 42.21%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 682,318
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 51.98%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 750,241
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 46.87%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 676,584
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1984|1984]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 60.73%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 890,877
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 38.83%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 569,597
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1980|1980]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 48.16%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 677,210
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 38.52%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 541,732
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1976|1976]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 52.06%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 719,261
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 46.90%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 647,895
|-
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972]]
| style="background: #fff3f3; font-weight: bold;" | 58.57%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 810,763
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 40.13%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 555,498
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1968|1968]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 44.32%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 556,721
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 49.48%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 621,561
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 32.09%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 390,996
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 67.81%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 826,269
|-
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | [[United States presidential election, 1960|1960]]
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 46.27%
| style="background: #fff3f3;" | 565,813
| style="background: #f0f0ff; font-weight: bold;" | 53.73%
| style="background: #f0f0ff;" | 657,055
|}
[[File:United States presidential election in Connecticut, 2016.svg|thumb|right|305px|[[Treemap]] of the popular vote by county, 2016 presidential election.]]
The suburban towns of [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] and [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]] in Fairfield County are considered the most Republican areas in the state. [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], a wealthy town a few miles to the east, is often considered one of the most loyally Democratic, liberal towns in Fairfield County. The historically Republican-leaning wealthy town of [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] voted in the majority for [[Barack Obama]] in the 2008 Presidential Election. [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], the namesake of the [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|county]], has historically favored moderate Republicans in municipal, congressional, senatorial, and gubernatorial campaigns, but in recent years has supported Democratic Presidential nominees. [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] and [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], two larger, mixed-income communities in Fairfield County, have in many elections favored moderate Republicans including former Governor [[John G. Rowland]] and former Congressman [[Chris Shays]], however they have favored Democrats in recent US presidential election years, with Shays being defeated by Democrat [[Jim Himes]] in the 2008 election.
The state's Republican-leaning areas are the rural [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and adjoining exurbs in the western side of [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford County]], the industrial towns of the [[Naugatuck River Valley]], and some of the affluent [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] towns near the New York border.
Joe Lieberman's predecessor, [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as Senator. Weicker was known as a liberal Republican. He broke with President [[Richard Nixon]] during [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate]] and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent, creating [[A Connecticut Party]] as his election vehicle. Before Weicker, the last [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to represent Connecticut in the Senate was [[Prescott Bush]], the father of former President [[George H.W. Bush]] and the grandfather of former President [[George W. Bush]]. He served 1953–63.
===Democratic areas===
[[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]] has a Democratic registration edge, but usually favors conservative candidates of both traditional parties. In [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] unaffiliated voters outnumber voters registered with either major party. Other smaller cities including [[Meriden, Connecticut|Meriden]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Norwich, Connecticut|Norwich]] and [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]] favor Democratic candidates. The state's major cities—[[Hartford]], [[New Haven]], [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]] and [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]—are all strongly Democratic.
{{As of|2011}}, Democrats controlled all five federal congressional seats. The last Republican to be elected, [[Chris Shays]], lost his seat to Democrat Jim Himes in 2008.
===Voting===
In April 2012 both houses of the Connecticut state legislature passed a bill (20 to 16 and 86 to 62) that abolished the [[Capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]] for all future crimes, while 11 inmates who were waiting on the [[death row]] at the time could still be executed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/25/connecticut-governor-signs-bill-to-repeal-death-penalty/ |title = Connecticut governor signs bill to repeal death penalty |date=April 25, 2012 |work=FOX News |accessdate = April 25, 2012}}</ref>
In July 2009 the Connecticut legislature overrode a veto by Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] to pass [[SustiNet]], the first significant public-option health care reform legislation in the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Health Reform Alive: Legislature Overrides Rell Veto Of Sustinet Care Plan, Six Other Bills |work=Hartford Courant |date=July 21, 2009 |first=Christopher |last=Keating |url=http://www.aarp.org/states/ct/advocacy/articles/in_historic_vote_legislature_overrides_sustinet_veto.html}}</ref>
==Education==
===K–12===
{{See also|Connecticut State Board of Education}}
The [[Connecticut State Board of Education]] manages the public school system for children in grades K–12. Board of Education members are [[cronyism|appointed]] by the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|Governor of Connecticut]]. Statistics for each school are made available to the public through an online database system called "CEDAR".<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut Education Data and Research |website=State Department of Education |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://sdeportal.ct.gov/Cedar/WEB/ct_report/CedarHome.aspx |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> The CEDAR database also provides statistics for "ACES" or "RESC" schools for children with behavioral disorders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aces.org/uploads/files/2011RESCAllianceBrochure.pdf |title=Resc Alliance |type=brochure |publisher=Aces |year=2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117052804/http://www.aces.org/uploads/files/2011RESCAllianceBrochure.pdf |archivedate=January 17, 2013 }}</ref>
===Private schools===
{{example farm|section|date=December 2013}}
{{See also|Country Day School movement}}
{{div col|colwidth=}}
* [[Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall]] (1905)
* [[Avon Old Farms School]] (1927)
* [[Bridgeport International Academy]] (1997)
* [[Brunswick School]] (1902)
* [[Canterbury School (Connecticut)|Canterbury School]] (1915)
* [[Cheshire Academy]] (1794)
* [[Choate Rosemary Hall]] (1890)
* [[East Catholic High School]] (1961)
* [[Ethel Walker School]] (1911)
* [[Fairfield Country Day School]] (1936)
* [[Fairfield College Preparatory School]] (1942)
* [[Foote School]] (1916)
* [[Greens Farms Academy]] (1925)
* [[Greenwich Country Day School]] (1926)
* [[The Gunnery]] (1850)
* [[Hopkins School]] (1660)
* [[Hotchkiss School]] (1891)
* [[Kent School]] (1906)
* [[Kingswood-Oxford School]] (1909)
* [[Loomis Chaffee]] (1914)
* [[Marianapolis Preparatory School]] (1926)
* [[The Master's School]] (1970)
* [[Mercy High School (Connecticut)|Mercy High School]] (1963)
* [[Miss Porter's School]] (1843)
* [[New Canaan Country School]] (1916)
* [[Northwest Catholic High School]] (1961)
* [[Norwich Free Academy]] (1854)
* [[Notre Dame Catholic High School (Connecticut)|Notre Dame Catholic High School]] (1955)
* [[Notre Dame High School (West Haven, Connecticut)|Notre Dame High School]] (1946)
* [[Pomfret School]] (1894)
* [[Rumsey Hall School]] (1900)
* [[Sacred Heart Academy]] (1946)
* [[Saint Bernard School]] (1956)
* [[Stanwich School]] (1998)
* [[St. Paul Catholic High School]] (1966)
* [[Suffield Academy]] (1833)
* [[The Taft School]] (1890)
* [[Watkinson School]]
* [[Westminster School (Connecticut)]]
* [[Westover School]] (1909)
* [[The Williams School]] (1891)
* [[Xavier High School (Connecticut)|Xavier High School]] (1963)
{{div col end}}
===Colleges and universities===
Connecticut was home to the nation's first law school, [[Litchfield Law School]], which operated from 1773 to 1833 in [[Litchfield, Connecticut|Litchfield]]. [[Hartford Public High School]] (1638) is the third-oldest secondary school in the nation after the [[Collegiate School (New York)|Collegiate School]] (1628) in [[Manhattan]] and the [[Boston Latin School]] (1635).
====Private====
* [[Yale University]] (1701)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28392 |title=Admit rate falls to record-low 7.5 percent |publisher=[[Yale Daily News]] |date=March 31, 2009 |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404023027/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28392 |archivedate=April 4, 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity College]] (1823)
* [[Wesleyan University]] (1831)
* [[University of Hartford]] (1877)
* [[Post University]] (1890)
* [[Connecticut College]] (1911)
* [[United States Coast Guard Academy]] (1915)
* [[University of New Haven]] (1920)
* [[University of Bridgeport]] (1927)
* [[Albertus Magnus College]] (1925)
* [[Quinnipiac University]] (1929)
* [[University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut)]] (1932)
* [[Mitchell College]] (1938)
* [[Fairfield University]] (1942)
* [[Sacred Heart University]] (1963)
[[File:Yale MMI.JPG|thumb|Yale's motto means light & truth.]]
[[File:UConn Main.JPG|thumb|[[University of Connecticut]], the state's main public university ]]
[[File:Yale MMIII.JPG|thumb|Yale (close up of door). Yale was formerly known as the Collegiate School.]]
====Public universities====
{{See also|Connecticut State University System}}
* [[Central Connecticut State University]] (1849)
* [[University of Connecticut]] (1881)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uconn.edu/about-us/history/ |title=History |website= University of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Eastern Connecticut State University]] (1889)
* [[Southern Connecticut State University]] (1893)
* [[Western Connecticut State University]] (1903)
* [http://www.charteroak.edu/ Charter Oak State College] (1973)
====Public community colleges====
[[File:Southbury Greenhouse MMII.JPG|thumb|Southbury Training School Greenhouse, Interior.]]
[[File:Southbury Greenhouse MMI.JPG|thumb|Southbury Greenhouse, 2016]]
* [[Capital Community College]] (1946)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/history.htm |title=A Capital History |website=Capital Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518174123/http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/history.htm |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Norwalk Community College]] (1961)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncc.commnet.edu/about/history.asp |title=History of Norwalk Community College |website=Norwalk Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Manchester Community College (Connecticut)|Manchester Community College]] (1963)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestercc.edu/ |title=Home Page |website=Manchester Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Naugatuck Valley Community College]] (1964)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nv.edu/About-NVCC/College-Facts/itemId/2055/History |title=History |website=Naugatuck Valley Community College |access-date=May 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518193155/http://www.nv.edu/About-NVCC/College-Facts/itemId/2055/History |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Northwestern Connecticut Community College]] (1965)<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nwcc.commnet.edu/research/pdfs/NCCC_NEASC_Report_2013.pdf |title=Institutional Self-Study Report |publisher=Northwestern Connecticut Community College |date=February 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514014033/http://www.nwcc.commnet.edu/research/pdfs/NCCC_NEASC_Report_2013.pdf |archivedate=May 14, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* [[Middlesex Community College (Connecticut)|Middlesex Community College]] (1966)<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://mxcc.edu/blog/mxcc-named-a-2013-great-college-to-work-for/ |title=MxCC Named a '2013 Great College to Work For' |publisher=Middlesex Community College |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Housatonic Community College]] (1967)<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.hcc.commnet.edu/info/NEASC/2012-10year/Self_Study_Report_2-22-12.pdf |title=NEASC Self-Study Report |publisher=Housatonic Community College |date=March 4–7, 2012 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Gateway Community College]] (1968)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gatewaycc.edu/history |title=Gateway History |website=Gateway Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Asnuntuck Community College]] (1969)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asnuntuck.edu/about/history-college |title=History of the College |website=Asnuntuck Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Tunxis Community College]] (1969)<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.tunxis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/NEASC-Self-Study-2011.pdf |title=Tunxis Community College Institutional Self-Study |publisher=Tunxis Community College |date=Fall 2011 |page=i |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Quinebaug Valley Community College]] (1971)<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the College |website=Quinebaug Valley Community College |url=http://www.qvcc.edu/about/History.asp |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015101649/http://www.qvcc.edu/about/History.asp |archivedate=October 15, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Three Rivers Community College (Connecticut)|Three Rivers Community College]] (1992)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/President/about/ |title=About Our Learning Community |website=Three Rivers Community College |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
The state also has many noted private day schools, and its [[boarding school]]s draw students from around the world.
{{See also|List of school districts in Connecticut}}
==Culture==
===Arts===
{{expand section|date=September 2017}}
===Sports===
====Professional sports====
{{See also|Professional ice hockey in Connecticut}}
Currently, there are two Connecticut teams in the [[American Hockey League]]: the [[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]], a farm team for the [[New York Islanders]], compete at the [[Webster Bank Arena]] in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]; the [[Hartford Wolf Pack]], the affiliate of the [[New York Rangers]], play in the [[XL Center]] in Hartford. The Wolf Pack are the first professional team to bring Hartford and the state of Connecticut a championship. The Wolf Pack won the [[Calder Cup]] on June 24, 2000 after defeating the [[Rochester Americans]] in a best-of-seven series.
The [[Hartford Yard Goats]] of the [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] are a AA affiliate of the [[Colorado Rockies]]. Also, the [[Connecticut Tigers]] play in the [[New York-Penn League]] and are a A affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. The [[Bridgeport Bluefish]] and the [[New Britain Bees]] play in the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]].
The [[Connecticut Sun]] of the [[WNBA]] currently play at the [[Mohegan Sun Arena]] in [[Uncasville, Connecticut|Uncasville]].
The state hosts several major sporting events. Since 1952, a [[PGA Tour]] golf tournament has been played in the Hartford area. Originally called the "Insurance City Open" and later the "Greater Hartford Open", the event is now known as the [[Travelers Championship]]. The [[Connecticut Open (tennis)|Connecticut Open]] tennis tournament is held annually in the [[Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center]] at Yale University in New Haven.
[[File:American Le Mans Series at Road America 2007.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Lime Rock Park|Lime Rock]]—a home of the [[American Le Mans Series|American Le Mans]] tournament]]
[[Lime Rock Park]] in Salisbury is a {{convert|1.5|mile|km|adj=on}} road racing course, home to [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]], [[SCCA]], [[United States Auto Club|USAC]], and [[K&N Pro Series East]] races. [[Thompson International Speedway]], [[Stafford Motor Speedway]] and [[Waterford Speedbowl]] are oval tracks holding weekly races for NASCAR Modifieds and other classes, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The state also hosts several major [[mixed martial arts]] events for [[Bellator MMA]] and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
=====Former major league teams=====
Connecticut has been the home of multiple teams in the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|big four sports leagues]], though currently hosts none.
Connecticut's longest-tenured and only modern full-time "big four" franchise were the [[Hartford Whalers]] of the [[National Hockey League]], who played in Hartford from 1975 to 1997 at the [[Hartford Civic Center]]. Their departure to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], over disputes with the state over the construction of a new arena, caused great controversy and resentment. The former Whalers are now known as the [[Carolina Hurricanes]].
In 1926, Hartford had a franchise in the [[National Football League]] known as the [[Hartford Blues]]. The NFL would return to Connecticut from 1973 to 1974 when New Haven hosted the [[New York Giants]] at [[Yale Bowl]] while [[Giants Stadium]] was under construction.<ref name="HistoryNYG">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/nyg/nygiants.html |title=History of the New York Giants |website= Sports Ecyclopedia |accessdate = September 12, 2006}}</ref>
The [[Hartford Dark Blues]] joined the [[National League]] for one season in 1876, making them the state's only [[Major League Baseball]] franchise, before moving to [[Brooklyn, New York]] and then disbanding one season later.
From 1975 to 1995, the [[Boston Celtics]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] played a number of home games at the Hartford Civic Center.
====Current professional sports teams====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Team
!Sport
!League
|-
|[[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]]
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[American Hockey League]]
|-
|[[Hartford Wolf Pack]]
|Ice hockey
|American Hockey League
|-
|[[Connecticut Whale (NWHL)|Connecticut Whale]]
|Ice Hockey
|[[National Women's Hockey League (2015–)|National Women's Hockey League]]
|-
|[[Hartford Yard Goats]]
|Baseball
|[[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] (AA)
|-
|[[Connecticut Tigers]]
|Baseball
|[[New York–Penn League]] (A)
|-
|[[Bridgeport Bluefish]]
|Baseball
|[[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]]
|-
|[[New Britain Bees]]
|Baseball
|[[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]]
|-
|[[Connecticut Sun]]
|Basketball
|[[Women's National Basketball Association]]
|-
|[[Connecticut Wildcats]]
|[[Rugby league]]
|[[USA Rugby League]]
|-
| [[AC Connecticut]]
| Soccer
| [[Premier Development League]]
|-
| [[New England Black Wolves]]
| Lacrosse
| [[National Lacrosse League]]
|}
=====Defunct professional teams=====
From 1996 to 1998, Connecticut was home to a professional woman's basketball team, [[American Basketball League (1996–98)|American Basketball League]] franchise the [[New England Blizzard]], who played at the [[XL Center]].
Hartford has hosted two [[Arena Football League]] franchises, in the [[Connecticut Coyotes]] from 1995 to 1996 and the [[New England Sea Wolves]] from 1999 to 2000, both playing at the Civic Center. Hartford was home to the [[Hartford Colonials]] of the [[United Football League (2009–12)|United Football League]] for one season in 2010.
====Amateur sports====
The [[Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC)]] is the state's sanctioning body for high school sports.
=====College sports=====
[[File:Yale-Harvard-Game.jpg|285px|right|thumb|Yale Bowl during "[[Harvard-Yale football games (The Game)|The Game]]" between Yale and Harvard. The Bowl was also the home of the [[NFL]]'s [[New York Giants]] in 1973–74.]]
The [[Connecticut Huskies]], often called "UConn", play [[NCAA Division I]] sports and are popular in the state. Both the [[Connecticut Huskies men's basketball|men's basketball]] and [[Connecticut Huskies women's basketball|women's basketball]] teams have won multiple national championships, including in 2004, when UConn became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Veilleux |first1=Richard |title=Twin National Championships Are A First In Division I Basketball |url=http://advance.uconn.edu/2004/040412/04041201.htm |accessdate=September 10, 2015 |work=UConn Advance |date=April 12, 2004}}</ref> In 2014, UConn repeated its feat of being the only school in NCAA Division I to win men's and women's basketball tournaments in the same year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=Nate|title=Connecticut women and men make basketball history (again)|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/connecticut-men-women-basketball-national-championship|accessdate=September 10, 2015|work=USA Today|date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> The UConn women's basketball team holds the record for the longest consecutive winning streak in NCAA college basketball at 111 games, a streak that ended in 2017.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} The [[UConn Huskies football team]] has played in the [[Football Bowl Subdivision]] since 2002, and has played in four bowl games since.
New Haven biennially hosts "[[Harvard–Yale football rivalry|The Game]]" between the [[Yale Bulldogs]] and the [[Harvard Crimson]], the country's second-oldest college football rivalry. Yale alum [[Walter Camp]], deemed the "Father of American Football", helped develop modern football while living in New Haven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegefootball.org/famer_selected.php?id=88004 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120908050128/http://www.collegefootball.org/famer_selected.php?id=88004 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |website=College Football |title=Hall of Fame – Famer Search }}</ref>
Other Connecticut universities which feature Division I sports teams are [[Quinnipiac Bobcats|Quinnipiac University]], [[Fairfield Stags|Fairfield University]], [[Central Connecticut Blue Devils|Central Connecticut State University]], [[Sacred Heart Pioneers|Sacred Heart University]], and the [[Hartford Hawks|University of Hartford]].
==Etymology and symbols==
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
|Flag = Flag of Connecticut.svg
|Seal = Seal of Connecticut.svg
|Name = Connecticut
|Bird = [[American robin]]
|Fish = [[American shad]]
|Flower = [[Kalmia latifolia|Mountain laurel]]
|Insect = [[European mantis]]
|Mammal = [[Sperm whale]]
|Tree = [[Charter Oak]], a [[white oak]]
|Dance = [[Square dance]]
|Fossil = [[Trace fossil|Dinosaur tracks]]
|Mineral = [[Garnet]]
|Motto = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Qui transtulit sustinet]]'' [[Latin]]
* "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains"}}
|Shell = [[Eastern oyster]]
|Ships = {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}, {{ship||Freedom Schooner Amistad}}
|Slogan = ''Full of Surprises''
|Song = {{plainlist|
* "[[Yankee Doodle]]"
* "[[Nutmegger|The Nutmeg]]"}}
|Tartan = [http://portal.ct.gov/About/State-Symbols/The-State-Tartan/ Connecticut State Tartan]
|Route Marker = Connecticut Highway 15.svg
|Quarter = 1999 CT Proof.png
|QuarterReleaseDate = 1999
}}
The name "Connecticut" originated with the [[Mohegan]] word ''quonehtacut'', meaning "place of long tidal river".<ref name="AboutCT">{{cite web |url=http://portal.ct.gov/about/ |title=General Description & Facts |website=Portal.CT.gov |publisher=State of Connecticut |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut's official nickname is "The Constitution State", adopted in 1959 and based on its colonial constitution of 1638–39 which was the first in America and, arguably, the world.<ref name=SOTS>{{cite web |title=Sites, Seals & Symbols |website=Secretary of the State |publisher=State of Connecticut |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?A=3188&QUESTION_ID=392608 |date=August 28, 2015 |ref=SOTS |accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Connecticut is also unofficially known as "The [[Nutmeg]] State,"<ref name = SOTS/> whose origin is unknown. It may have come from its sailors returning from voyages with nutmeg, which was a very valuable spice in the 18th and 19th centuries. It may have originated in the early machined sheet tin nutmeg grinders sold by early Connecticut peddlers. It is also facetiously said to come from [[Yankee]] peddlers from Connecticut who would sell small carved nobs of wood shaped to look like nutmeg to unsuspecting customers.<ref name = "cslib" /> [[George Washington]] gave Connecticut the title of "The Provisions State"<ref name=SOTS/> because of the material aid that the state rendered to the [[American Revolutionary War]] effort. Connecticut is also known as "The Land of Steady Habits".<ref name=SOTS />
[[File:Charter Oak in Hartford CT.jpg|thumb|The [[Charter Oak]]]]
[[File:SS-571-Nautilus-trials.gif|thumb|The {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}]]
According to Webster's New International Dictionary (1993), a person who is a native or resident of Connecticut is a "Connecticuter". There are numerous other terms coined in print but not in use, such as "Connecticotian" ([[Cotton Mather]] in 1702) and "Connecticutensian" ([[Samuel Peters]] in 1781). Linguist Allen Walker Read suggests the more playful term "connecticutie." "[[Nutmegger]]" is sometimes used,<ref name="cslib">{{cite web|url=http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm |title=Connecticut's Nicknames |website=Connecticut State Library |accessdate=September 15, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905051813/http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm |archivedate=September 5, 2011 }}</ref> as is "[[Yankee]]." The official state song is "[[Yankee Doodle]]"), though this usually refers to someone from the wider [[New England]] region. (In the Southern United States, the term "Yankee" refers to anyone who lives north of the [[Mason–Dixon line]].) The traditional abbreviation of the state's name is "Conn.;" the official [[United States postal abbreviations|postal abbreviation]] is CT.
[[Commemorative stamp]]s issued by the [[United States Postal Service]] with Connecticut themes include [[Nathan Hale]], [[Eugene O'Neill]], [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]], [[Noah Webster]], [[Eli Whitney]], the [[whaling]] ship the [[Charles W. Morgan (ship)|Charles W. Morgan]] which is docked at [[Mystic Seaport]], and a [[decoy]] of a broadbill [[duck]].
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+ Connecticut state insignia and historical figures<br /><sup>Source [[#SOTS|Sites, Seals & Symbols]] except where noted.</sup>
|-
|State aircraft || [[Vought F4U Corsair]]
|-
|State hero || [[Nathan Hale]]
|-
|State heroine || [[Prudence Crandall]]
|-
|State composer || [[Charles Edward Ives]]
|-
|State statues in [[National Statuary Hall Collection#Collection|Statuary Hall]] || [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Jonathan Trumbull]]
|-
<!-- STATE PEOPLE, HONORARY POSTS-->
|[[State poet laureate]] || [[Dick Allen (poet)|Dick Allen]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2162&q=300692 | title=Connecticut Poet Laureate | publisher=State of Connecticut | work=Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of Culture and Tourism | accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Connecticut State Troubadour]] || Kristen Graves
|-
|State composer laureate || [[Jacob Druckman]]
|}
==Notable people==
{{Main article|List of people from Connecticut}}
* [[George H.W. Bush]], the 41st president of the United States, grew up in Greenwich<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-bush |title=George Bush |publisher=History.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> a member of the [[Bush political family]], with roots in the state extending three generations.
* [[George W. Bush]], the 43rd president of the United States, was born in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/george-w-bush-9232768 |title=George W. Bush Biography |publisher=Bio. |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard]] and [[Karen Carpenter]], brother and sister duo of [[The Carpenters]] who won a Grammy and sold over 60 million albums by 1983; born in New Haven 1946 and 1950, respectively.
* [[Glenn Close]], American actress who is best known for appearing as Alex Forrest in [[Fatal Attraction]], and [[Cruella de Vil]] in Disney's live-action remake of the [[One Hundred and One Dalmatians|101 Dalmatians]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/glenn-close-9251504|title=Glenn Close Biography|last=Writers|first=Biography.com|date=April 2, 2014|website=The Biography.com website|publisher=A&E Television Networks|access-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Charles Dow]], founder of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' and [[Dow Jones]].<ref>{{cite ANB |first=Bruce J. |last=Evensen |url=http://www.anb.org/articles/16/16-03537.html |title=Dow, Charles Henry |date=October 2008 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]], was an American scientist who made important theoretical contributions to physics, chemistry, and mathematics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aps.org/programs/outreach/history/historicsites/gibbs.cfm|title=J. Willard Gibbs|website=APS Physics|access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Katharine Hepburn]], named by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star in Hollywood history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/katharine-hepburn-9335828#awesm=~oEDV3oZXwvgJaB |title=Katharine Hepburn Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Seth MacFarlane]], a cartoonist, well known for creating [[Family Guy]], [[American Dad!|American Dad]], [[The Cleveland Show|Cleveland Show]], and the [[Ted (film)|TED series]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0532235/bio|title=Seth MacFarlane|website=IMDb|access-date=October 1, 2016}}</ref>
* [[J.P. Morgan]], financier and philanthropist who dominated a period of industrial consolidation and intervened in multiple economic panics during his time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/jp-morgan-9414735#awesm=~oEDVgccyvH9m1C |title=J.P. Morgan Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Jackie Robinson]], who broke baseball's "color line," contributing significantly to the [[Civil Rights Movement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813#awesm=~oEDVDeW7JBvyzD |title=Jackie Robinson Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Igor Sikorsky]], who created and flew the first practical helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/igor-sikorsky-9483585#awesm=~oEDVMz4yePtkxu |title=Igor Sikorsky Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], whose novel ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' (1852) energized anti-slavery forces in the American North.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/hbs/ |title=Harriet Beecher Stowe's Life |website=Harriet Beecher Stowe Center |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Meryl Streep]], who holds the record for the most [[Academy Awards]] nominations for acting.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/Blog/Arts-Entertainment/February-2014/Meryl-Streep-Oscars-Stars-Other-Celebs-Live-in-Connecticut-We-Map-Them/ |title=Meryl Streep, Oscars' Stars and Other Celebs in Connecticut (We Map Them) |work=Connecticut Magazine |date=February 27, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20140518193819/http://www.connecticutmag.com/Blog/Arts-Entertainment/February-2014/Meryl-Streep-Oscars-Stars-Other-Celebs-Live-in-Connecticut-We-Map-Them/ |archivedate=May 18, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Mark Twain]] resided in his innovative [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] home from 1871 until 1891, during which time he published ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' and ''The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn''. He lived in [[Redding, Connecticut|Redding]] from 1908 until his death in 1910.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marktwainlibrary.org/9samuelclemens-folder/samuel-clemens-and-the-mark-twain-library.htm |title=Samuel Clemens and the Mark Twain Library |publisher=Mark Twain Library |accessdate=September 15, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Noah Webster]] was born in Hartford in an area that is now part of [[West Hartford]] and was the author of the ''Blue Backed Speller'', now known as ''Webster's Dictionary''. The ''Speller'' was used to teach spelling to five generations of Americans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/noah-webster-9526224#awesm=~oEDWPi2TfHJD2B |title=Noah Webster Biography |website=Biography.com. |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Eli Whitney, Jr.|Eli Whitney]], best known for inventing the [[cotton gin]] which shaped the economy of the [[Antebellum South]], and promoting the design of interchangeable parts in production, a major development leading to the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/eli-whitney-9530201#awesm=~oEDX0pOKWHrEmG |title=Eli Whitney Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>
==See also==
{{portal|Connecticut|New England}}
* [[Index of Connecticut-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Connecticut]]—organized list of topics about Connecticut
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Connecticut]]
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Connecticut|Connecticut}}
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<!--===============================================================================-->
* [http://portal.ct.gov/ Connecticut's Official State Website]
* [http://www.ctvisit.com/ CTVisit.com] – Official tourism website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613102359/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html Connecticut QuickFacts] – U.S Census Bureau
* {{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Connecticut}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union]]|years=Ratified [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] on January 9, 1788 (5th)}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Massachusetts]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Connecticut|expanded}}
{{New England}}
{{Northeast US}}
{{United States political divisions}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:1788 establishments in the United States]]
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[[Category:Northeastern United States]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1788]]
[[Category:States of the East Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]' |
