1. On August 4, 1753, the Massachusetts Stoughton Musical Society was founded in Stoughton. It was the first musical society in America and became a model for other societies across the country.

2. August 4, 1824, was the day the Marquis de Lafayette, the French General and hero of the American Revolution visited Boston. He was celebrated as a national hero and was given a parade and a banquet in his honor.

3. On August 4, 1914, World War I broke out in Europe. The United States remained neutral for the first few years of the conflict but eventually joined the fight in 1917.

4. August 4, 1936, is the date the first basketball Hall of Fame inductees were announced. The first class included 10 players, five coaches, and four referees.

5. In 1990, on August 4th, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (also known as the "Big Dig") officially began in Boston. It was the most expensive highway project in American history at the time, costing $22 billion. The project was completed in 2007 and replaced an outdated elevated highway with a tunnel system.