Where is Plymouth Rock?
There are several places named Plymouth in the United States, but there is one which is very famous. It is also often called “America’s Hometown” because of its importance in the United States of America, especially during Thanksgiving. In this article, we will learn about Plymouth Rock, where it is, the story behind it, and more.
What is Plymouth Rock?
Plymouth Rock is a big granite rock. It’s just a regular rock that was left by a glacier a long time ago. But despite being just a rock, it’s famous worldwide. People see it as the founding of the United States and the beginning of English colonization in North America.
Where It Is?
Plymouth, where the Rock is located, is a town in Plymouth County and derives its name from the English city of the same name. Plymouth Rock is situated on the waterfront in Plymouth, Massachusetts, specifically at Pilgrim Memorial State Park. It’s along the shore of Plymouth Harbor, making it easily accessible to visitors.
You can see the rock from the shoreline. It is located on the coast of Massachusetts Bay, about 64 kilometers south of Boston.
Story of Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock is a rock in the United States that’s very famous. People say it’s where the Pilgrims, who were English settlers, first landed in America in 1620. They came on a ship called the Mayflower. Even though some people aren’t sure about this, it is still seen as a symbol of the early days when English settlers came to New England.
People have doubts that the Pilgrims landed on that rock. The story about this rock is more like a legend than something we know for sure. No old writings or evidence from back then prove they landed on that specific rock. The first written reference to Plymouth Rock as the Pilgrims’ landing site dates back to 1741, more than a century after their arrival.
Even though we are not sure if the story is true, this rock is still important. It is a symbol of the Pilgrims coming to America and starting a new colony. Nowadays, Plymouth Rock is kept in a special building near Plymouth Harbor.
Interesting Facts about Plymouth Rock
- Plymouth Rock is not as big as you might think. It weighs about 10 tons, which is pretty heavy, but its size might surprise you. It’s only about 12 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet tall. So, when people see it for the first time, they’re often surprised by how small it is compared to what they imagined.
- This rock was used to be bigger a long time ago. But in 1774, it cracked into two pieces. The bottom part stayed where it was, and the upper part was taken to different places. Finally, in 1880, they put the two pieces back together again. In 1774, some people tried to move the rock to show freedom, but it ended up breaking into two pieces.
- In the past, the rock was a lot bigger. But as time passed, people took pieces of it as souvenirs, making it smaller. Today, only about a third of its original size is left because people kept taking bits of it.
- During the American Revolution, the rock was seen as a symbol of freedom and independence. Because of this, it was moved for a little while to keep it safe from being harmed by British forces.
- If you look at Plymouth Rock, you’ll see the year “1620” carved into it. This was done to remember and celebrate the 300th anniversary of when the Pilgrims landed.
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