On the back of the Connecticut Quarter is 'The Charter Oak'. What significance does this tree hold?

mk2norwich

It's a long story, so to save myself the trouble of typing it here (I'm SO lazy!) I'll give you this link: http://www.state.ct.us/emblems/tree.htm Jun 16 02, 2:05 PM

McGruff

The Charter Oak on the reverse of the Connecticut quarter represents a historic incident of Connecticut history. In 1662 Connecticut was granted a document called the Connecticut Charter by King Charles II which recognized the Connecticut colony and granted it rights to set up it's own independent governing system. Twenty five years later in 1687 the British challenged Connecticut's government system and demanded the surrender of the charter. In the middle of the debate, the candles were suddenly blown out. When the light was restored the Connecticut Charter was gone. It was stolen by Captain Joseph Wadsworth who hid it in a giant oak tree nearby. The act was symbolic of defiance to the British and the tree which it was hid in became a symbol of Conneticut independence and soverignty. It stood until 1856 when it was destroyed in a storm. http://www.holt.k12.mi.us/~srhigh/home/bio/article1.htm Maryland just recently lost its state tree, the Wye Oak, to a storm. That's a real bummer. Jun 16 02, 2:06 PM