Trivia tidbits from The Encyclopedia of New England:

. Tupperware was developed after World War II by Earl Tupper, of Berlin, N.H.

. Rhode Island is the only U.S. state with a majority Catholic population.

. The “L.L.” in L.L. Bean stands for Leon Leonwood.

. June 1816 was known as the “Year without Summer” – snow during every summer month that year contributed to widespread crop failure and loss of livestock.

. Chowder did not originate in New England. References to chowder lead back to France, where it was known as “chaudiere.”

. Benjamin Franklin, Boston native and first postmaster general, has appeared on 29 postage stamp series and pre-stamped cards and letters since 1847.