The Most Popular Googled Questions About New England is Not at All What I Expected
What's in a question? As fiction and crime novelist, Thomas Berger said, "The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge." So what do we do? We go forth and google our questions.
I'm always googling. I mean, who isn't? Cash Net USA decided to do the down and dirty research and see what questions Americans ask Google the most about New England. Let me tell you, these questions are not at all what I expected, and I love it.
Maine
"Why Does Maine Celebrate St. Patrick's Day?"
Oh wow, that's hilarious. Am I missing something? I'm not trying to be facetious at all, but with all the questions that someone could google about Maine, that is most definitely not a question that comes to mind. By the way, if you do google the question, the answer is a list of places to go celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Maine. We also learn this, which is a total "the more you know" moment.
Saint Patrick's Day, although a legal holiday only in Savannah, Georgia, and Suffolk County, Massachusett, is nonetheless widely recognized and celebrated throughout the United States.
New Hampshire
"Why Does the New Hampshire Primary Matter?"
Ok, that fits nicely and proudly for New Hampshire, which has been hosting the first primary since 1920, according to The National Constitution Center. However, that change in 2024 is causing lots of controversy according to NBC News, as South Carolina will now kick things off for Democrats. While things are still fluid on which states vote when that could leave New Hampshire voting 4th with Nevada, I'm sure this question for New Hampshire will continue to reign supreme.
Massachusetts
"Why Does Massachusetts Have the Best Education?"
Nothing surprising here, actually. And when you do google it, you find out plenty about the private and public school system throughout the Bay State, as well as the incredible colleges and Universities there. One thing mentioned, according to Mass Live, is that Massachusetts puts more resources and taxes into the school system, making the state tops or near tops annually for the best schooling in the country.
Rhode Island
"Does Rhode Island Celebrate V-J Day?"
Seriously? Well, in case you're wondering what you're missing, here's why that question. V-J Day. according to World War II Facts, is Victory over Japan Day, when Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers effectively ending World War 2. According to WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island is the only state that honors the day, making it a legal state holiday on August 15 when the official surrender happened. The 75th annual V-J Day is this year, in 2023.
Vermont
"Does Vermont have a Republican Governor?"
Ha! Right? Great question, because talk about a proudly Blue State. According to Middlebury College Political Science Professor Matt Dickinson (where my niece proudly attends school), there's a method to this madness.
This reflects a broader sense of concern about allowing either party to have majority control over the governor’s office, Senate and House, or their equivalent. In Massachusetts, Republican governor Charlie Baker serves alongside a Democrat-controlled state legislature. Republican Chris Sununu presides over New Hampshire, a state which voted for Biden by a margin of 7.3% in the 2020 presidential election. And Vermonters are drawn to electing a Democratic legislature, which they expect to address issues such as housing, education, and climate change, while they expect a Republican governor to hold the line on spending.
Connecticut
"Does Connecticut Have a Notch?"
This is quite an impressive question, because unless your mind went someplace dirty upon looking at the shape of Connecticut, there is a little notch just southwest of Springfield, Massachusetts, just above Granby, Connecticut. Called the 'Spouthwick Jog' according to Connecticut State Library, that notch is where the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dips into the Nutmeg state. It's a long story on why that happened, so if you want to learn more, then I've googled it for you right here.