What makes a state a commonwealth?

Commonwealth is a designation used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official state names: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Prior to 1776, each was, either entirely or in part, a British colony; all four share in common a strong influence of English common law expressed in some of their laws and institutions. read more

In the United States, the distinction between a commonwealth and state is in name only while in other parts of the world, such as the British Commonwealth, the word "commonwealth" has a far different meaning. In the U.S., the terms "commonwealth" and "state" have basically the same meaning. read more

There are four states in the United States that call themselves commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The distinction is in name alone. The commonwealths are just like any other state in their politics and laws, and there is no difference in their relationship to the nation as a whole. read more