Commonwealth (United States)
This article is about U.S. States that designate themselves as "Commonwealths". For usage relating to U.S. insular areas, see Commonwealth (U.S. insular area). For other uses of the term, see Commonwealth.Four of the constituent
states of the
United States officially designate themselves
Commonwealths:
Kentucky,
Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, and
Virginia. This designation, which has no constitutional impact, emphasizes that they have a "government based on the common consent of the people" as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier
Royal Colony status that was derived from the
King of England. (The word
commonwealth is of English derivation and refers to the common "weal" or well-being of the public.)
In common parlance, people do not make the distinction between
state or
commonwealth.
Massachusetts is officially named "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts" by its
constitution. The name
"State of Massachusetts Bay" was used in all acts and resolves up to 1780 and the first draft of the constitution. The current name can be traced to the second draft of the state constitution which was written by
John Adams and ratified in
1780.
[1]The
Seal of Pennsylvania does not use the term, but legal processes are in the name of the Commonwealth and it is a traditional official designation used in referring to the state. In 1776, Pennsylvania's first state constitution referred to it as both "Commonwealth" and "State," a pattern of usage that was perpetuated in the constitutions of 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968.
[2]A detailed
history describing the origins of Pennsylvania's government, including its designation as a commonwealth from colonial times, is available from the Secretary of State's office.
The name "Commonwealth of Virginia" dates back to its independence from
Great Britain. Virginia's first constitution (adopted on June 29, 1776) directed that "Commissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and bear taste by the Governor with the Seal of the Commonwealth annexed." The
Secretary of the Commonwealth still issues commissions in this manner. Among other references, the constitution furthermore dictated that criminal indictments were to conclude "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth."
In 1785, residents of Kentucky County began petitioning the Virginia legislature for statehood. They wished the County to be recognized as a "free and independent state, to be known by the name of the 'Commonwealth' of Kentucky." On June 4th, 1792, Kentucky County, Virginia became officially the "Commonwealth of Kentucky."
[3]*
Secretary of the Commonwealth*
Commonwealth of England
