1. On December 20, 1783, the Boston Gazette newspaper reported on the first successful hot-air balloon flight in Massachusetts. The balloon, named the “Eagle,” was flown by French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American physician Dr. John Jeffries.

2. On December 20, 1803, the USS Constitution was launched from the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. The ship, which is still commissioned by the US Navy today, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat.

3. On December 20, 1812, the Hampden County Courthouse in Springfield was destroyed by a fire. The fire started on the third floor of the building and quickly spread, resulting in the loss of many legal records and documents.

4. On December 20, 1945, the Boston Celtics played their first ever game as a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Celtics defeated the Toronto Huskies by a score of 82-70.

5. On December 20, 1976, the Massachusetts legislature passed a landmark “no-fault” divorce law, making the state the second in the nation to adopt such a law (after California). The law allowed couples to divorce without having to prove fault or wrongdoing by either party.