New Hampshire was the ninth colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution and became a state on June 21, 1788. It was the first state in 1775 to expel the British Royal Governor and in 1776 the first state to create a state constitution.
The State House was opened in 1819 and is the oldest capitol in which the "legislature uses its original chambers". The capitol was enlarged in 1864 and again in 1910.
In 1957 the wooden eagle was placed on top of the dome. It is a element-proof replica of the original gold-painted wooden eagle. The original was replaced because of deterioration from weather; it was moved to the New Hampshire Historical Society.
The present state library building, built in 1895 of native granite, is one of the buildings of the capitol area. The beginnings of the State Library were in 1717 and it is generally considered to be the oldest such institution in the United States.
The State Library promotes excellence in libraries and library services and assists with rapid access to other informational resources for all citizens and governments of the state.
Hale was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar in 1830 and practiced law at Dover. He entered politics and was a state representative, a U.S. District Attorney, a U.S. Congressman, a U.S. Senator and last the U.S. Minister to Spain.
He was nominated for the U.S. Presidency by the Free-Soil Party in 1852. The Free-Soil Party was a third party alternative and was one of the major components of the Republican Party which emerged as a national party in 1856.
John Stark was born in 1728 in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He was a frontiersman whose main occupation was hunting, fishing and Indian-fighting. During the French-Indian war he was a senoir captain with ROger's Rangers. During the Revolutionary War he served as a general; after his exemplary service in the Battle of Bennington in 1777 he was known as the "Hero of Bennington". The motto of New Hampshire, "Live free or die- Death is not the worst of evils" was coined by him. He died in 1822.
Pierce was born in Hillsboro, NH. He became the 14th President of the United States. Prior to the presidency he was a U.S. Congressman and Senator and saw service in the Mexican War (1847-48). The Gadsden purchase occurred during his presidency; this land purchased from Mexico added to the territories of Arizona and New Mexico and paved the way for the building of the Southern Pacific Railway. Commodore Perry's efforts to open Japan to U.S. trade was completed in his term. His inability to satisfactorily handle U.S. slavery issues during this time in history resulted in his not being renominated for the Presidency in 1856.
Perkins graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1856. His distinguished service in the Civil War during the capture of New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River and the Battle of Mobile Bay led to his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His post-war service led to his promotion to captain. He retired in 1891. In 1896 Congress authorized promotion to the retired rank of Commodore in recognition of his gallantry and skill during the Battle of Mobile Bay.
The Soldier's Memorial Arch acts as the entrance to the front lawn of the State House.
The United States Department of the Treasury selected a foundry in France to cast 55 full-sized replicas of the Liberty Bell. States and territories of the United States each received a bell as a gift to be displayed and rung on special occasions. New Hampshire's replica is on the front lawn of the capitol.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives is the largest of the 50 states. Each representative has approximately 3,000 constituents and serves a two year term.
The New Hampshire Senate is the fourth smallest of the 50 states. Each senator has approximately 60,000 constituents and serves a two year term.
