10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The State of New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s first constitution was ratified in 1776, as soon as New Hampshire became a state. This was later replaced by the constitution of 1784, which is still active today. The constitution has a bill of rights and guarantees the right to revolution, which was especially important to residents coming off the Revolutionary War. The spirit on the constitution is embodied in the state’s motto: Live Free or Die.

The Mount Washington Observatory, at the top of the 6,289 foot peak, recorded a wind speed of 231 miles per hour on April 12, 1934. For 62 years this was the highest wind speed ever recorded, until a speed of 253 miles per hour was recorded in Australia during a typhoon. However, the Mount Washington reading is still the fastest wind ever observed by man.

Four months before his more famous ride to Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere made an even longer ride from Boston to Portsmouth, to warn of an attack on Fort William and Mary. Colonists prevented the attack from happening, and saved the fort from the British.

The state’s motto "Live Free or Die" comes from a quote by New Hampshire resident and Revolutionary War hero John Stark, who said "Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils."

But it's still a good idea to wear one!

New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any sea-touching state, with just 18 miles of coast.

Scottish settlers in the Londonderry area (then known as Nutfield), planted the first potato crops in America in New Hampshire in 1719. The potato is still New Hampshire’s state vegetable.

The poem was published in 1830. Hale was also key in campaigning to make Thanksgiving a holiday.