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Did You Know?
Connecticut has long been a hotbed for cultural icons, landmark events, and game-changing inventions. From celebrity trailblazers to chart-topping musicians, the state is tied to a surprising lineup of legendary moments.
See how many you know, then find the answers by “flipping” the cards below.
1,000+ PIZZERIAS
The most per capita of any state! No wonder we’re the Pizza Capital of the U.S.
HINT – IT’S MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY
HOW MANY FAMILY-OWNED PIZZERIAS ARE THERE IN CONNECTICUT?
GATEN MATARAZZO
Dustin from Stranger Things may battle Demogorgons in the Upside Down, but he often performs at local theaters and special events in his hometown of New London.
THE MAYFLOWER INN & SPA
This idyllic retreat inspired the cozy charm of Lorelai and Rory’s Stars Hollow.
Life’s short, talk fast
WHICH CONNECTICUT INN WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE GILMORE GIRLS?
MERYL STREEP
The silver screen legend was a Yale grad student, later making CT her home. Streep raised her famous children in Salisbury and frequently supports local farms in NW CT.
SHONDA RHIMES
The genius behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton lives in Westport for creative inspiration and quality of life, making it her main storytelling hub.
JOHN MAYER
Born in Bridgeport and raised in Fairfield, he’s one of CT’s coolest exports.
A wonderland of soulful lyrics
WHICH CHART-TOPPING GUITAR HERO CALLS CONNECTICUT HOME?
SETH MACFARLANE
The creative force behind Family Guy hails from Kent, CT. His small-town upbringing inspires the show’s outrageous humor and unforgettable antics.
GROTON, CONNECTICUT
Electric Boat built and launched the world’s first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, in Groton, CT. Today, Groton continues to power the future of submarine design and construction.
Hint: it was launched in 1954
IN WHICH CT TOWN WAS THE FIRST NUCLEAR SUBMARINE BUILT?
THE HAMBURGER
The American burger was born at Louis’ Lunch, where they’re still served today.
Hint – it’s not apizza, guess again!
WHICH ICONIC AMERICAN DISH WAS INVENTED IN NEW HAVEN, AROUND 1900?
KEVIN BACON & KYRA SEDGWICK
Longtime residents Kevin and Kyra chose rooster crows over highway roars, settling in NW CT to raise a family, embrace farm life, and appreciate balance and creativity.
WWE
The world’s most famous wrestling legends are made here at their Stamford HQ.
Body slams & boardrooms – right here in CT
WHICH GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT GIANT CALLS CT HOME?
CHARLI & DIXIE D’AMELIO
When they’re not making viral TikToks, these sister social media sensations from Norwalk prove that worldwide fame starts right here in CT.
Jose Feliciano
7-time Grammy winner and longtime CT resident Jose Feliciano broke cultural and language barriers with his iconic holiday anthem, "Feliz Navidad."
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
The first state to legalize by legislative action, pioneering a path for the nation.
Love wins in CT
CONNECTICUT MADE HISTORY WITH THIS LGBTQ+ MILESTONE… CAN YOU NAME IT?
CHRISTOPHER BRINEY
Conrad may rule Cousins Beach on The Summer I Turned Pretty, but his roots are all CT. Born in Danbury, raised in Naugatuck, and trained at Waterbury Arts Magnet and Wesleyan, his rise began here.
Gordon Ramsay
He brought the heat to Foxwoods, filming two seasons of Hell’s Kitchen and opening a restaurant at the resort casino.
Hint – Get Out! (while you can 😉)
Which celebrity chef unleashed hell—twice over—at a Connecticut casino?
RON HOWARD
This actor/director/producer and his wife raised their kids here, out of Hollywood’s spotlight.
He’s called “Action” nearly 30 times on the big screen
WHICH HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHT LENT HIS VOICE TO “ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT"?
JAMES BLAKE
Like his childhood pal John Mayer, this tennis great hails from Fairfield. A popular ESPN analyst and former world No. 4 with 10 ATP titles, he’s celebrated for his positivity on and off the court.
NOAH WEBSTER
Born in West Hartford, Webster’s dictionary standardized American English.
Spelling counts (he would know)
CAN YOU NAME THE CT RESIDENT WHO CREATED AMERICA’S FIRST DICTIONARY?
MARILYN MONROE
While married to playwright Arthur Miller, Monroe traded Hollywood glamour for quiet life at his Roxbury farmhouse—proof that even the biggest stars crave small-town sparkle.
JENNA DEWAN
She’s no Rookie to fame so Step Up your game because this actress/dancer is a Hartford native.
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
The 1839 rebellion led to a landmark trial, where captives won their freedom.
A defining moment in civil rights history
IN WHICH CT CITY DID THE AMISTAD FREEDOM TRIAL TAKE PLACE?
Paul Newman
This American icon dazzled on screen and won hearts off it. He made Westport, CT home to raise a family, establish the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and indulge his love of racing at Lime Rock Park.
STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT
Igor Sikorsky’s VS-300 lift-off crowned this town the birthplace of the helicopter.
Hint: The year was 1939
In which Connecticut town did the first helicopter take flight?
THE LOLLIPOP
The 1st machine-made sucker was patented in New Haven by George Smith. Yummm.
It’s the official state treat
WHICH ICONIC AMERICAN CANDY WAS INVENTED IN CONNECTICUT IN 1908?
MARTHA STEWART
Before lifestyle stardom and hanging with Snoop Dogg, Stewart built her empire in Westport, where she turned gardens and entertaining into books, TV shows, and a global brand. CT was her blueprint.
ELLA T. GRASSO
In 1974, CT made history as the 1st state to elect a woman to serve as governor.
Hint – she served from 1975-1980
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE NATION’S (AND CT’S) FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR?
Paul Giamatti
With CT roots running as deep as his list of film/TV credits, the Foote School/Choate Rosemary Hall/Yale grad also makes his love for New Haven pizza clear as day.
ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Manny, Sid, Granny, and Diego might not have survived the Continental Drift (Thanks, Scrat!) if it wasn’t for Greenwich-based Blue Sky Studios animating their way to a new lush land.
22
From charming greens to coastal towns, CT is a go-to backdrop for movie magic.
CT doesn’t just look like a Hallmark movie set – it is one!
HOW MANY CHRISTMAS MOVIES HAVE BEEN FILMED IN CONNECTICUT?
KEITH RICHARDS
This Rolling Stones rocker has called CT home since the 80s. He’s a notable philanthropist, championing libraries and arts education. He even scored CT’s first Governor’s Award of Excellence in 2025.
MYSTIC PIZZA
Filmed in Mystic and nearby towns, this flick serves up a slice of coastal CT.
Hint – it’s a cinematic slice of heaven
WHICH CLASSIC 80’S MOVIE WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL CT PIZZERIA?
THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2
STP2 filmed extensively in CT, using Western Connecticut State University in Danbury as a stand-in for Lena’s college, and the town of Kent for Carmen’s storyline.
Some friends just fit together
Which popular coming-of-age sequel featuring a flattering pair of jeans was filmed in CT?
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Yes, Alexander Hamilton himself wrote his first Tony Award-winning musical, In the Heights, in Connecticut while attending Wesleyan University.
THE CORKSCREW
Walker’s design was one of the earliest American versions to gain popularity.
Pop! Cheers to innovation
WHAT INVENTION DID CT’S EDWIN WALKER IMPROVE IN 1860?
SUZANNE COLLINS
Born in Hartford, the author and mastermind of The Hunger Games trilogy raised her kids in Sandy Hook, making even Katniss blush at the peace found in Western CT.