1. On February 3, 1783, the Massachusetts General Court officially recognized the independence of Vermont, which had previously been disputed territory between New Hampshire and New York. This decision helped to pave the way for Vermont to become the 14th state in the Union in 1791.

2. February 3, 1959 is the day that the plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa. While this tragedy did not take place in Massachusetts, Holly had previously played several shows in the state, and his legacy as a pioneer of rock and roll lives on.

3. The Massachusetts State House, which has served as the state's capitol building since 1798, was partially destroyed by fire on February 3, 1895. The blaze caused significant damage to the dome and roof, but thankfully the historic structure was largely able to be saved.

4. February 3, 1620 is the day that the ship Lyon arrived in Boston Harbor, carrying nearly 50 Puritans who would settle in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. While this date may not have any specific significance in the history of the colony, it is a reminder of the enduring influence of the Puritans on the region.

5. On February 3, 2002, the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, earning their first championship in franchise history. Led by quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots would go on to win five more Super Bowls, cementing their place as one of the most successful dynasties in NFL history.