So this trivia question, or one of its many derivatives, comes up often enough that I feel like knowing the answer is a sort of trivia night cheat code.
The question usually goes something like this: "Which four states use the term 'Commonwealth' in their full, official longform state names?" The correct answer is Massachusetts, Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The more discerning among you may know that Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, while not afforded the rights of states, are themselves also commonwealths.
But do you know why these four states (and, to a lesser degree, two unincorporated territories) opt for the fancy "commonwealth" over the passé "state"?
The answer concerns our jolly old frenemies, the British; specifically, England's short-lived abolition of the monarchy in favor parliamentary rule. England experiences its second civil war in 10 years, Cromwell suggests they chop ol' Charles I's head off (and folks generally agree), and the country transitions into — you guessed it — a commonwealth, or "a community, whole body of people in a state."
Years later, as England's monarchy is being re-established, similar rebellious sentiment is brewing across the pond. Virginia adopts the commonwealth phrasing first (cementing it in its constitution in 1776); Massachusetts and Pennsylvania follow suit shortly thereafter; and Kentucky, which was part of Virginia until 1792, digs the whole "we the people" vibe, so they go along too. Bingo bango, Bob's your uncle.
Thanks to all 10 teams who showed up to participate on this chilly eve. And congratulations to this week's winners:
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