Government of Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is:

the birthplace of the Revolutionary War

the home of Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Adams, John Hancock, Anne Hutchinson, the Concord and Lexington Minutemen, Daniel Webster and John F. Kennedy

one of the 13 original colonies

The Constitution of Massachusetts is the oldest written still-governing constitution in the world. It was adopted in 1780. The Massachusetts Senate is the second oldest democratic deliberative body in the world.

Read more about the Government of Massachusetts:

Historical Perspective of the Massachusetts Constitution

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution

Three Branches of State Government

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch

Local Government in Massachusetts

County Government

How a Bill Becomes a Law

© League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, 1998. Hard copies of this publication are available from the League office for $1 plus postage. Quantity discounts available. Call or write for information: 133 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114, 617-523-2999, lwvma@ma.lwv.org