One of the great things about living in a place like Massachusetts is that there’s always more to discover. From oddball facts to little-known state history, check out these things that you probably never knew about the Bay State.

1. The official Massachusetts state cat is the Tabby cat.
Flickr/Jeffrey Rolinc
In 1988, a group of schoolchildren requested that the tabby be named the office state cat. The state government obliged.
2. The chocolate chip cookie was invented in Massachusetts.
Flickr/Allan Foster
The famous cookie was first crafted in 1930 at the Toll House Inn and restaurant in Whitman. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the official Massachusetts state cookie.
3. The Boston University Bridge is the only place on earth where a boat can sail under a train moving under a car driving under an airplane.
Flickr/William F. Yurasko
The bridge on Commonwealth Avenue is something of a transportation layer cake.
4. Four U.S. presidents have been born in a single place in Massachusetts.
Wikimedia Commons/biruitorul
Norfolk County is the birthplace of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush.
5. There’s a house in Rockport that is made entirely out of newspaper.
Flickr/Danielle Walquist Lynch
The walls, floors and furniture are all completely fashioned out of newspaper. Understandably, the fireplace is not.
6. Revere Beach was the first public beach in America.
Flickr/Bill Ilott
It was established in 1896 and is a National Historic Landmark. The sand forms a beautiful white crescent and the beach is popular with Boston city dwellers.

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7. Massachusetts is home to the two largest cities in all of New England: Boston and Worcester.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich
Worcester has a population of roughly 184,000 while Boston is home to approximately 673,000 people.
8. Boston Common was the first pubic park in America.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
In 1634, Boston Common became the first designated public green space in the nation. Back then, the Common was used to graze sheep.
9. The first ever basketball game was played in Springfield.
Flickr/MOTT
In 1891, James Naismith invented the game of basketball while teaching a gym class at Springfield College. The Basketball Hall of Fame is now located in Springfield.
10. Johnny Appleseed is Massachusetts’ official state folk hero.
Flickr/Steve Snodgrass
Johnny Appleseed was designated as the state’s official folk hero on August 2, 1996. Born John Chapman, this legendary figure was born in 1775 and is famed for planting apple trees from New England to the Ohio River Valley.
11. The Boston subway system was the first in America.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Constructed in 1897, Boston’s subway system is the oldest in the country. Though it may experience a few hiccups now and then, it’s been getting Bostonians from one side of the city to other for over a century.
12. If you stop by Boston Harbor on December 16, you’ll be treated to a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party.
Flickr/iluvgadgets
The event happens every year and is a unique way to experience the history of the city.
13. Milford’s unique pink granite is sent all over the world.
Wikimedia Commons/Jim.Henderson
The rare pink granite is quarried and transported internationally to ornament the museums, government builds and monuments.

For more unusual Massachusetts history, check out our list of the weirdest things that have ever happened in this state.

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