1. On January 13, 1885, Pauline Cushman, an actress who served as a spy for the Union during the Civil War, passed away in Boston. Cushman was known for her performances in Confederate states, using her position to gather information for the Union army.

2. The Boston Bruins played their first game on January 13, 1924, against the Maroons in Montreal. The Bruins lost the game 2-1, but went on to become one of the most successful franchises in the National Hockey League.

3. On January 13, 1785, John Hancock was elected as the first governor of Massachusetts under the newly ratified state constitution. Hancock is perhaps best known for his prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence.

4. The Great Molasses Flood occurred in the North End neighborhood of Boston on January 13, 1919. A storage tank containing 2.3 million gallons of molasses ruptured, sending a wave of syrupy liquid through the streets, killing 21 people and injuring over 150 others.

5. January 13, 1966 marked the opening of the Boston Common Underground Parking Garage, the first major underground parking facility in the United States. The garage has 1,350 parking spaces and is located beneath Boston Common, one of the oldest public parks in America.