A Sweeping history of the state of Connecticut.

From the Pequot Wars to the rise of insurance giants, Connecticut has played an outsized role in shaping American history despite its modest size. In The Constitution State, historian Daniel Hardy traces the remarkable journey of this New England cornerstone, revealing how a colony founded by religious dissidents became the birthplace of constitutional democracy and industrial innovation.

Hardy masterfully weaves together the stories of Connecticut's most pivotal moments: the drafting of the Fundamental Orders in 1639—America's first written constitution—the state's crucial compromises during the Constitutional Convention, and its transformation into the "Arsenal of Democracy" during World War II. Along the way, readers encounter the visionaries, rebels, and entrepreneurs who defined Connecticut's character, from Thomas Hooker's democratic ideals to Eli Whitney's revolutionary manufacturing methods.

More than a chronological account, this comprehensive history explores the tensions between tradition and progress that have long defined Connecticut—a state that gave birth to both abolitionist fervor and insurance industry pragmatism, that housed both Mark Twain's wit and P.T. Barnum's spectacle. Hardy illuminates how Connecticut's unique blend of Yankee ingenuity, political moderation, and constitutional thinking helped forge the American experiment itself.

Rich with archival research and compelling storytelling, The Constitution State offers both longtime residents and curious readers an essential understanding of how this small but mighty state earned its enduring nickname and continues to influence American life today.

Daniel Hardy is an histroian and author.