The human history of New Jersey began millennia ago with the settlement of the area by Native Americans. European contact began with the exploration of the Jersey Shore by Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524, At the time of European contact, the area was populated by many tribes of the Lenape. The New Jersey region soon came under the control of the Swedes and the Dutch resulting in a struggle in which the Dutch were victorious. However, the Dutch colony of New Netherlands was seized by the English in 1664. New Jersey was one of the Thirteen Colonies that broke off from Britain in the American Revolution, adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Becoming a state upon the formation of the United States, New Jersey saw significant action during the American Revolutionary War. New Jersey's delegates signed the Articles of Confederation in 1779 and Princeton acted as the nation's capital for four months in 1783. In 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution. In the 19th century, New Jersey cities led the nation into the Industrial Revolution and provided soldiers for many of the wars the United States fought, including 88,000 soldiers for the American Civil War. The state became a component of the Underground Railroad. The state's transportation system continued to improve with the construction of canals and more rail lines that helped industrialization further develop.

one of the nation's 6th most wealthy states that many people have misconceptions of. usually stereotyped as smelly, dirty, and unclean, yet that only makes up about 5% of the area of the state. other 95% includes scenic river valleys, picture-perfect suburbs, rolling farmland, sandy beaches, and bustling nightlife

The best state ever. Contains seedy bars, diners, and hoboken people with ridiculous accents. Awesome comic book stores, the place to be. Other states may make fun of us Jersy-ites but thats only because they know we're the coolest. Plus we got Jay and Silent Bob and Seaside Heights so i fart in your general direction if u think it's less that the shit.

new jersey. if youre from here you know the following:
1. people only go to camden to buy drugs or alcohol illegally.
2. people only go to trenton to buy drugs or to attend the puerto rican day parade.
3. every summer you go down the shore and get cheese fries on the boardwalk.
4. the white horse circle in trenton requires skill; the red lion circle in southampton does not.
5. you'll see at least 12 kids from your high school at wawa in the morning, getting a wawa green tea, breakfast sandwich, 20 oz coffee, or hoagie for lunch.
6. 711 ATM machines charge $1.50 per transaction.
7. if you must go to camden, newark, or trenton at night, lock your doors and make sure your windows are up. also, if you are a fan of rap music, turn it off. you will get jumped and/or shot.
8. bonfires and miller light in southampton are your weekend plans, every weekend. (south jersey)
9. speeding on 295 is an art. go 90 mph but make sure you slow down when you go past the rest stop right before the florence exit. theres always a statey being shady and waiting there for you in the insert.
10. take the back roads to lbi, atlantic city, cape may, seaside, and wildwood. getting pulled over on the garden state expressway or the acx isnt worth the 4 points itll put on your license.

Not New York.

To all you New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians who claim everyone from New Jersy is stupid:

New Jersey is ranked fourth in a survey conducted to determine the smartest state (based on high school graduation rates and various other factors). New York placed sixth.
Pennsylvania you're not too far behind at number nine.
(In case you're wondering which state ranked first; Massachusettes)

Suck on that one, Grasshopper.

I love New Jersey. There is no other way to explain it. I have traveled all over the country and the world and there is no other place I would rather live. I have lived in Jersey.. no not Joisey... for my whole life until I moved to Tennessee to attend college. I hated it. The day I graduated from college I moved right back home and don't plan on moving out of this state again. Oh, and not to mention that Jersey girls are the hottest!