While Massachusetts may be one of America’s smallest state by size, it’s certainly one of America’s most important states in history. Many of America’s “firsts” occurred in the Bay State. When the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in 1620, they wrote the Mayflower Compact. A compact is another word for “agreement.” The Mayflower Compact was the first example of a self-government in America. This means that the Pilgrims would make their own government.

Did you know America’s first college, Harvard, was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1636? America’s first public school, the Boston Latin School was built in Boston, Massachusetts, a year earlier. Even America’s first public park, Boston Common, was established in 1634. In 1704, America’s first newspaper was published in Boston.

According to the passage, Massachusetts is …
1. a large state in size and important in history.
2. a large state in size but not that important in history.
3. a small state in size and important in history.
4. a small state in size and not that important in history.
What first did NOT occur in Massachusetts?
1. College
2. Public School
3. Newspaper
4. Colony
Why was the Mayflower Compact important?
1. It was the first example of people being ruled by a king in America
2. It was the first example of people ruling themselves in America
3. It was the first colony in America
4. It was the first compact in America
What happened in 1635?
1. The Boston Latin School was founded
2. Harvard College was founded
3. Boston Common was founded
4. The Mayflower Compact was written