The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-06-01

universities and colleges. Two na. tivos of Connecticut wore largely instrumental in establishing the public school system of the United States. Thousands of men and wo- men have been trained here who have become leaders of community and national iife in thls and in ov0ry other state of the Union. AS m example of what has been done in her professional schools may b0 mentioned the part played by tho Litohheld Law school, the first law school in America, which was es. tablished in l77B and continued un. til is33. With . total enrollment Of only about one thousand during those years, a remarkable record of achievement was made by the graduates. Two became vice. presi- dents of the United States; three became justices of tho United states supromo court; six were cab met officers; 10 per cont of all graduates entered Congress; six be. eamo governors of other states; and seventeen were members of the highest courts Of their states, In other folds than law and gov ernmont, many had distinguished S'f bohGhttpHI journalism, and business.
 Many Patents Received
 The impress of Connecticut is everywhere. Commerce has carried
 her products to distant lands, For
 many years Connecticut exceeded
 every other state in the number of
 patents secured In ratio to popula.
 ton. A multitude Of skilled work. CTS have earned for the state rank as the twelfth misunderstanding state of the Union. Connecticut Is still . most productive and valuable agricultural land. The state Is roo. ognised as Q world center of pro. tective insurance. Our manufac. lures in silver, steel, brass, and other metals fix the standards of quality. Connecticut hat.makers are leaders of the industry. Fire. arms made here have been the ia. vorite weapons on hundred frontiers.
 The variety of ways in which Connecticut has always been the loader Is remarkable. The first diplomatic agent sent abroad to represent the United States was a Connecticut man. The only person to sign all four of the fundamen. tai documents of our country was from Connecticut. The first ship of tho United States navy was built in Connecticut. A native of Connecticut designed and built the first steamboat ever constructed, This state was the home of the first powder mill in America. The old est daily newspaper in America is published at Hartford. Greenwich Is reputed to be the city with the greatest per capita wealth. The hrst seminary for girls in America was at Litchfield. The first silk mill was at Mansfield. America's first cigars were made in the river colonies. The rst brass goods were manufactured at Waterbury, The first commercial telephone ex- change was operated in New Ha. ven. Were there time, might 70 on to enumerate other inventions and industries for which Connecti- cut is distinguished.
 Children Study History
 The tercentenary commission has deemed 1t singularly fitting that
 one of the first steps should be taken |" education. Two pamph-
 let's for the schools have been pre-
 pared and distributed, one histor- ] ical and the other giving an outline of material for special investiga.
 ton. Thousands of boys and girls
 In the public and parochial schools
 are now engaged in intensive study
 of the states history, colonial and | modern. Prizes are to be offered
 to them for essays on historical
 subjects. There will be prepared
 by a committee of the commission | manuscripts of simple plays and pageants to be enacted by the chii- dren. An educational feature,
 which will be of interest to you | all, is the publication of a series of pamphlets on historical subjects. | Already twenty-nine have been is- sued. A few of the titles are: "The
 Charter of Connecticut" George Washington and Connecticut" ]"
 Early Domestic Architecture" :"
 "The Fundamental orders," Early Clockmaking." and "The Hartford Convention"
 The commission is planning a terccntenary medal, artistically de- signed as suitable memento of the occasion. There will be a com
 memorative postage stamp. The Congress has been asked to auth oTiES tnS COludBS OL BOuVSHlF
 half-dollar. Committees are at
 york on a plan for marking many
 interesting and historical places in all the towns of the state. 4 guide
 book with a map is also in prep
 aration. During the summer and early fall of next year, a number of exhibitions are to be held in
 Hartford, New Haven. and other places. There Is a wealth of avail able material, comprising colonial furniture. costumes. silver, glass; ware, textiles, and the works os Connecticut's great portrait and other painters. Nearly every town has historic objects which may be put on display and old houses which may be opened to visitors at certain times. There are quanti- ties of interesting books and docu. ments in the State library in the Yale University library, and in collections Of the Connecticut His- AanfnaY aRWfatv ana e.a1aaN naaA0la