Charter Oak

41°45′33″N 72°40′25″W / 41.7593°N 72.6736°W / 41.7593; -72.6736

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.