Each state in the United States has a capital. This
is the center of the state government where elected
officials do their work. There is something interesting
about each state’s capital. Here are some facts about
just a few of the capitals.
The oldest capital is Santa Fe, New Mexico. Spanish
explorers made it the capital of the area in 1610. Before
that, Native American tribes lived in the area. To put the
age of this city in perspective, it was a capital before
the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts.
At the same time that Santa Fe was being settled, the
explorer Captain John Smith visited the Native American
tribes who were living in the area that one day would
become Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. The
town itself wasn’t founded until 1785 when the town
was established. The town is named after the Harris
family, which owned the land.
The capital of Illinois is Springfield, a city in the middle
of the state. Like many capitals, it is not the biggest
city. That honor goes to Chicago. But Springfield has
not been the capital for the state’s entire history. It has
been changed several times over the years.
Montpelier is the capital of Vermont. The name of
this city is unusual because it sounds so French. That
happened because Vermont became a state in 1791.
At that time, people in our newly formed country were
very grateful to the French for helping us in the War
for Independence. The people of Vermont showed their
appreciation by giving their capital a French name.