Connecticut: A Rundown
Timeline of Events:
- 1636: Founded by Thomas Hooker as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- 1639: Adopted the Fundamental Orders, considered the first written constitution in the English colonies.
- 1701: Became a separate royal colony.
- 1775: Played a leading role in the American Revolution, having supplied troops and materials to the Continental Army.
- 1820: Passed the Missouri Compromise, which kept Missouri as a slave state but prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Territory north of latitude 36°30´.
- 1854: Enacted the Fugitive Slave Act, which required Northern states to assist in capturing and returning runaway slaves.
- 1861: Seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy.
- 1865: Rejoined the Union after the Civil War.
- 1875: Passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which outlawed discrimination in public accommodations.
- 1954: Brown v. Board of Education case originated in Connecticut and reached the Supreme Court, which ruled against school segregation.
- 2012: Permitted same-sex marriage.
Important Legislation:
- Fundamental Orders (1639): Established a representative government and guaranteed certain rights to citizens.
- Missouri Compromise (1820): Settled the debate over slavery in the new territories.
- Fugitive Slave Act (1854): Attempted to appease Southern states by strengthening the enforcement of slavery laws in the North.
- Civil Rights Act of 1875: Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations.
Important Court Cases:
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Ruled against school segregation.
- Griswold v. Connecticut (1965): Recognized the right to privacy and contraception.
Major Industry:
- Historically, manufacturing and shipbuilding; currently, insurance, finance, and defense.
Impact on the Rest of the Country:
- Connecticut has played a pivotal role in American history as a center of intellectual and economic activity.
- Its contributions to the American Revolution and the abolition of slavery have shaped the nation’s Identity.
- The state’s strong economy and commitment to innovation continue to impact the rest of the country.