How the States of America got their names (3/5).

The following article is the continuation of parts one and two of "How the states of America got their names" so if you are out of sequence please visit a previous article on the link further down.

Maryland was the 7th state to be admitted to the United States in 1788, the state was initially colonized by the British. The state capital is the city of Annapolis, although it's largest city is Baltimore. The state received its name to pay tribute to its royal patron, they called it Maryland to celebrate Queen Henrietta Maria. Queen Consort Henrietta was the French born wife of Charles the First of Britain.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the 6th state to enter the Union in 1788, it was also the landing point for the Mayflower.The state capital is Boston, and many of the settlements in the state carry the names of English settlements. Massachusetts. The name Massachusetts is the name of the Native American tribe that inhabited the area before European settlers arrived.

Michigan became a member of the Union in 1837, it was the 26th state to accept the US constitution. The state capital is the city of Lansing, although most people would have guessed Detroit. Michigan was pro-Unionist and contributed troops to the Federal army. The name possibly derives from the Fort Michilimackinac, which was a French and then British possession.

Minnesota joined the Union in 1858 as the 32nd state, until then it was half the Minnesota territory. The state capital is the city of Saint Paul, but its larger city Minneapolis is more commonly known. The first European settlers in the area where French fur trappers who lived quite peacefully with the native tribes. Minnesota gets its name from the Dakota tribes name for the river, it translates as "Cloudy water".

Mississippi joined the Union in 1817 and became the 20th state to do so. Mississippi was administered as the Mississippi territory before statehood was confirmed. Mississippi left the Union to join the Confederated states and saw much fighting for control of the Mississippi river. The state capital is Jackson, it takes its name from General Jackson who later became President Andrew Jackson. The state gets its name from the river that flows through it, it translates as "Great River".

The state of Missouri joined the Union in 1821, and became the 24th state to do so. The state was involved in the American Civil War, and was caught in the middle of the turmoil. The state capital of Missouri is the city of Jefferson, although Kansas city is larger. The name Missouri comes from the name of the River, and Missouri Native Americans.

Montana gained its place in the United states in 1889, and was the 41st member state. Before statehood it belonged to the Montana territory, and sometimes shared area with the Idaho territory. The state capital is Helena, and its biggest city is Billings. The state is named after the Spanish word for Mountains, and the name carried on into statehood.

In March 1867 the Nebraska territories became the state of Nebraska, it became the 37th state of the Union. The capital of the state is Lincoln renamed after the assassinated President, and its largest city is Omaha. Nebraska has a large number of German settlements, alongside the usual British and Irish settlements. The name Nebraska comes from the Omaha tribe, and relates to the description flat water.

In 1864 the Nevada territory became the 36th state of the Union on accepting the United States constitution. The territory was originally a Spanish claim, before the Mexicans claimed much of the South West after Independence. Carson City is the state capital, although Las Vegas is the more well known city. Nevada gets its name from the Spanish named Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The Province of New Hampshire was admitted into the Union in 1788, making it the 9th state of the USA. The state of New Hampshire was among the Thirteen colonies that threw off British rule. The state capital of New Hampshire is the city of Concord, and its largest city is Manchester. There is a heavy English influence in the place names, and the states name is in honour of the county of Hampshire.

New Jersey was the 3rd state added to the Union in 1787, and was initially settled by the Dutch and the British.The state capital of New Jersey is the city of Trenton, although the larger city of Newark is more recognisable. New Jersey was a Unionist state in the American Civil War, although no major battles were fought in the state many from New Jersey joined the Union Army. The state is named after a Channel Island that remained loyal the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

New Mexico territory was made into the 47th state in 1912, the territory was ceded to the US after the US-Mexican war. New Mexico was a Spanish possession before the Mexicans declared independence. The state capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, and its largest city is Albuquerque which took its name from a Spanish town and Dukedom. New Mexico gets its name from Mexico, which was named after the Mexica people.