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Charter Oak
Large oak tree in Hartford, Connecticut / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Charter Oak (disambiguation).
41.7593°N 72.6736°W / 41.7593; -72.6736
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The Charter Oak was an enormous white oak tree growing on Wyllys Hyll in Hartford, Connecticut, from around the 12th or 13th century until it fell during a storm in 1856. Connecticut colonists hid Connecticut's Royal Charter of 1662 within the tree's hollow to thwart its confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak symbolized American independence and was commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter. It was also depicted on a commemorative half dollar[1] and a postage stamp[2] in 1935, Connecticut's tercentennial.