Graphic by Rielle Reyes ’27/The Choate News
By Jai Midha ’27, Reporter
In early September, Connecticut unveiled new highway signs in a grand ceremony that boldly expressed the state’s identity and culture. The signs, displayed at crucial entry points along major highways from Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, were revealed amidst a flurry of excitement and celebration, proclaiming Connecticut as home of “the Basketball Capital of the World,” “the Pizza Capital of the United States,” “the Submarine Capital of the World,” and “the Foodie Capital of New England.”
Governor Ned Lamont proudly shared the new signs on social media. “These updated signs are a testament to our state’s pride, showcasing some of the best of what we do in Connecticut,” he said. However, the signs have sparked online and offline conversations about their validity.
Specifically, the “Basketball Capital” declaration has roused debate. With the University of Connecticut Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams sharing 11 and six National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) tournament titles respectively, Connecticut has a solid argument. However, as journalist Melina Khan noted, “From a historical perspective, basketball started in [Springfield], Massachusetts, and they have the Naismith Museum. So I think the most interesting thing is the rivalry in terms of who has more claim over being the basketball capital of the world.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey even responded to this claim with a tongue-in-cheek meme on X by posting a photo that displayed “Connecticut” crossed out and replaced with “Massachusetts.”
Equally disputed is the assertion that Connecticut is the “Pizza Capital of the United States.” While New Haven’s famous pizzerias like Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana have long been celebrated, some would argue that New York’s iconic thin-slice pizza and Chicago’s deep-dish pizza deserve equal, or even more, recognition for their unique styles.
Perhaps the most surprising claim is that Connecticut is the “Foodie Capital of New England.” While the state does offer unique dishes like the Connecticut-style lobster roll and steamed cheeseburger, this title has raised some eyebrows. “The fact that one of the signs said Connecticut is the foodie capital of New England is, I think, a little bit more contentious,” Khan noted, reflecting on the reactions she observed among her colleagues. “That is a major take, but it has gotten people talking.”
On the other hand, the signs denoting Connecticut as the “Submarine Capital of the World” are less disputed. Both the Naval Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat, the primary manufacturer of submarines for the U.S. Navy, have their headquarters in Groton, Connecticut. Members of the U.S. Navy also have to go to Groton for initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, also known as Boot Camp. Connecticut has used this sign to further stress its importance to the U.S. Navy.
Regardless of the controversies or conversations surrounding these new signs, their intentions are clear: to celebrate Connecticut’s contributions and foster state pride. Whether these bold claims will be universally accepted is another question. What’s certain, however, is that the signs have succeeded in bringing attention to Connecticut’s unique culture and history, sparking lively debates among residents and visitors alike.
