Correct terminology for States

[Mouseteacher]

"Admitted" or "became" works. I'm from Massachusetts, one of the original 13 colonies that started it all and became the United States of America.

Despite the fact we wanted freedom from England, I adore the UK and British history. I have visited England twice and look forward to the time I can return again.

 

[bicker]

Good point, earlier, about the four commonwealths being states. However, not all commonwealths are states: Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, and is not a state.

One more complication about Massachusetts, vis a vis the discussion of counties. Most Massachusetts counties currently exist only as geographic regions, and have no county government. All former county functions were assumed by state agencies in the late 1990's-early 2000. Sheriffs and some other regional officials with specific duties are still elected locally to perform duties within the county region, but there is no county council or commissioner.

So, for us, we've got just three levels of government: Federal, state, and our Town Meeting (neighbors elected to represent neighbors). While other states (we used to live in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut) had up to five separate levels of government: Federal, state, county, township and village.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

What a fun idea!!! I'm bummed that I didn't spend more time chatting with the CMs from Epcot about where they're from, so this sounds like such a great idea.


Don't know about the others, but when I lived in PA we always referred to "the commonwealth of Pennsylvania"... never "the state of PA". Although obviously, it's still considered one of the 50 states.

Curiously... I think NY is the only state where "NY state" and "the state of NY" both sound right... although "NY state" sounds slightly more right Other states sound weird with "state" after them, and usually makes me think that it's referring to a college.

 

[KramBerries]

I could have sworn that there were 57 states. Maybe that's when you include the territories and D.C.

Don't forget about Washington D.C. It's not a state. It's a federal district or something.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Curiously... I think NY is the only state where "NY state" and "the state of NY" both sound right... although "NY state" sounds slightly more right Other states sound weird with "state" after them, and usually makes me think that it's referring to a college.

I also think Washington State or the state of Washington sounds right. I suspect that this is because both NY and Washington states need to be distinguished from the cities with the same names, so we're more used to hearing it said that way.

 

[shrubber]

To be correct, States are Admitted to the Union.

Sounds like a fun project

 

[Disney Sue]

This has turned into a really interesting thread. Thank you all for the information and support.

 

[mla1977]

I agree with several of the previous posters, "became a state" or "admitted to the Union" are appropriate. Using "Join the USA" would not be appropriate because many states were territories (and therefore already part of the USA) before they became a state.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I was trying to work out what our equivalent to a State is, when I started on the project.
I would suggest that it is England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland that makes up the UK, as there are some slight differences to how they are governed - which I believe mirrors the States.

Counties are more about local government and geographical split. I hasten to add that this is just my personal opinion - and am happy to be corrected should a more knowledgable 'Brit' with a greater understanding of our history and politics care to offer a different opinion.

Thanks! That's interesting too. I understood the parts of England as you described but was really curious what all the 'shires' would be considered. Sounds very similar to our counties here then. Ooooh, what I wouldn't give to visit England! But that involves flying which I have a serious fear of! Too bad there isn't a cruise from the east coast of America though! My grandmother's side of the family are from Manchester, England and emigrated to America at the turn of the century. Thanks again for the info!

 

[PanamaMike]

Too bad there isn't a cruise from the east coast of America though!

There are all kinds of Transatlantic cruises. Ships leave for England from New York, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami.

 

[laurafergie]

Hi from Virginia! What a great project!

Virginia calls itself a commonwealth, as was discussed before. Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth - The Virgin Queen. We were the site of the first successful English settlement in 1607 of Jamestown named for King James I and still have very heavy English ties, especially with our place names. I live in "Portsmouth" near "High St" and beside the city of "Norfolk", near "Princess Anne" and on and on.

I'd love to see an update to your trip and what you thought were the neatest facts you found out!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Thanks! That's interesting too. I understood the parts of England as you described but was really curious what all the 'shires' would be considered. Sounds very similar to our counties here then. Ooooh, what I wouldn't give to visit England! But that involves flying which I have a serious fear of! Too bad there isn't a cruise from the east coast of America though! My grandmother's side of the family are from Manchester, England and emigrated to America at the turn of the century. Thanks again for the info!

Ummmm, Cunard has the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth & Queen Victoria. AMAZING ships! http://www.cunard.com/Destinations/default.asp?Sub=&Region=7 QM2, though she does other cruises, was built to be the commuter between NY and Southampton, England. We took it there and back in 2005. It's a "must do". I don't fly either. We drove from CA. We were over there for month. Total trip time was 2 months.

Disney Sue: Some ideas for questions.....
1) State motto
2) State nickname
3) State tree & flower
4) State bird
5) State Capital

I'm sure there are a lot more but this is what cam to mind.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

The Republic of Texas was annexed by the United States in 1836.

 

[mickaholic4077]

This is a trick question. How many US States are there? The answer is NOT 50.

I don't know if this has been answered yet,so my apologies if it has been-

Kentucky,Massachusetts.Pennsylvania and Virginia are commonwealths.so there are 46 U.S. states.

 

[IDoDis]

Some people think that New Mexico is not a state -- seriously. Once my aunt came to visit and asked where she needed to go to change her money. We are truly the missing state, but yes -- New Mexico is a state and is not part of Mexico.

 

[DL55]

Some people think that New Mexico is not a state -- seriously. Once my aunt came to visit and asked where she needed to go to change her money. We are truly the missing state, but yes -- New Mexico is a state and is not part of Mexico.

Yes, we are the only state that has to put USA on our license plates.

 

[MizTink]

Some people think that New Mexico is not a state -- seriously. Once my aunt came to visit and asked where she needed to go to change her money. We are truly the missing state, but yes -- New Mexico is a state and is not part of Mexico.

 

[dzorn]

http://sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

If you do the middle tutorial it will give you info on each state. DD is using the site to study for a test.

Denise in MI

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Ummmm, Cunard has the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth & Queen Victoria. AMAZING ships! http://www.cunard.com/Destinations/default.asp?Sub=&Region=7 QM2, though she does other cruises, was built to be the commuter between NY and Southampton, England. We took it there and back in 2005. It's a "must do". I don't fly either. We drove from CA. We were over there for month. Total trip time was 2 months.

Cool, thanks! How long did it take to get from NY to Southampton?

 

[chaoscent]

I am going to be there the last week in August. I hope to run into you and check out your PA card. Penny