10 Reasons Why New Jersey Is The Most Patriotic State In The Country

With the Fourth of July coming up, it's fun to think about all the things that make New Jersey patriotic. The Garden State has been all about American pride from the very start.

1. We were one of the 13 original colonies.

2. Five New Jersey representatives signed the Declaration of Independence.

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart and Abraham Clark. Only Pennsylvania and Virginia had more representatives sign.

3. On December 18, 1787, we became the 3rd state to ratify the Constitution.

4. And we were the FIRST state to ratify the Bill of Rights.

On November 20, 1789.

5. New Jersey is known as the "Crossroads of the Revolution."

Many major battles were fought here, including the Battle of Princeton (depicted above).

6. The legend of Molly Pitcher got its start here, at the Battle of Monmouth.

7. The Twin Lights Museum houses an incredible American flag exhibit - Seeing Stars.

Learn about the many incarnations of the American flag and enjoy historic flags and related memorabilia.

8. The Pledge of Allegiance was first recited in New Jersey.

On April 25, 1893. This photo was taken in 1899.

9. Founded in 1894, the Ridgefield Park Fourth of July Parade is one of the oldest parades in the United States.

10. With over 140 displays in New Jersey, we put on more fireworks shows per square mile than nearly any other state.

We MAY even be ranked number one, depending on where you find your data.

Feeling patriotic yet? To see a complete list of fireworks displays, see: These Fireworks Displays In New Jersey Will Drop Your Jaw. To learn about the unique church where seven presidents were parishioners, see: There’s No Chapel In The World Like This One In New Jersey.