Cod (Gadus morrhua) was designated the official state fish of Massachusetts in 1974. All State Fish
The cod fish has been a symbol of Massachusetts for over 200 years (a sculpture of a cod fish hangs in the Massachusetts House of Representatives). The fishing industry provided the Puritans with food, fertilizer, and revenue for trade (native Americans also used cod for food and fertilizer). Today the Atlantic cod is listed as threatened.
The garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) was designated as the official reptile of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2007. All State Reptiles
Among the most common snakes in North America, the nearly harmless garter snake is also commonly called garden snake, gardener snake, and ribbon snake. Garter snakes eat earthworms, insects, amphibians, leeches, slugs, snails, crayfish, small fish, and other snakes.
Massachusetts recognized Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) as the official state children's author and illustrator in 2003. All State Awards & Recognition - All Iconic People
Massachusetts adopted the mayflower as the official flower of the Commonwealth in 1918. All State Flowers
The fragrant, delicate mayflower (Epigaea regens) has been on the endangered list since 1925. Also known as ground laurel or trailing arbutus, mayflowers prefer sandy or rocky soil, under or near evergreens.
Dinosaur tracks were recognized as the official state fossil of Massachusetts in 1980. All State Fossils
Found in Granby, Massachusetts, these dinosaur tracks are the first record of a theropod so large (a theropod dinosaur fifty feet in length made the tracks over 200 million years ago).
The ladybug was adopted as the official state insect or insect emblem of Massachusetts in 1974 (thanks to a campaign that began with a second-grade class in the town of Franklin).
Massachusetts designated basketball as the official state sport on August 8th, 2006 (Massachusetts also recognizes volleyball as the official recreational and team sport).
The game of basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith; a Springfield, Massachusetts teacher. All State Sports
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was designated the official inventor of Massachusetts in 2006. All State Awards & Recognition
Recognized as one of our Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin was also a scientist (and inventor), an author, printer, Freemason, postmaster, civic activist, political theorist, politician, statesman, diplomat, and humorist.
The Boston cream donut was designated the official state donut of Massachusetts in 2003 (Boston cream pie was adopted as the state dessert in 1996). All State Foods
A civics class from Norton High School found sponsorship for the bill which recognized Boston cream pie as the official state dessert of Massachusetts in 1996. All State Foods
The traditional Boston cream pie is a yellow cake filled with custard or cream and topped with chocolate glaze. The recipe for Boston cream "pie" was created in the 19th century, when the same pans were used to bake cakes and pies.