1. On February 9, 1773, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which was a major cause of the Boston Tea Party. The act made British tea cheaper than smuggled tea from other countries, angering American merchants who saw it as a British attempt to monopolize the tea trade.

2. In 1825, the city of Boston celebrated the opening of the Tremont Theatre, which was considered one of the finest theaters in the country at the time. It featured the latest technology and innovations in stage design, and hosted many famous actors and actresses throughout its history.

3. On February 9, 1945, American soldier Edward J. Burke of Boston was killed in action during the Battle of Manila in the Philippines. Burke was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in helping to clear enemy positions and saving the lives of his comrades.

4. In 1964, the Boston Bruins retired the jersey of legendary player Lionel Hitchman, who was one of the team's first captains and helped lead them to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1929. Hitchman remains one of the most successful players in Bruins history, and his number 3 jersey was the first to be retired by the team.

5. On February 9, 2006, Boston-based biotech company Genzyme announced the approval of a new drug called Myozyme, which is used to treat a rare genetic disorder called Pompe disease. The drug was the first treatment available for the condition, and has since been used to help thousands of patients worldwide.