1. In 1977, the first women's-only marathon in the United States was held in Amherst, Massachusetts. The event was organized by the late Kathrine Switzer, who made history by being the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967.

2. On January 21, 1991, the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. caught fire, killing six Worcester firefighters. The tragedy led to improved safety measures for firefighters and greater public appreciation of their work.

3. The city of Boston was founded on September 17, 1630, but it was not officially incorporated until January 21, 1822. At the time, Boston was one of the largest cities in the United States, with a population of over 43,000 people.

4. In 1942, the first American victory in the Pacific theater of World War II was won by the U.S. 22nd Marine Regiment, which was based in New England. The battle took place on January 21 on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

5. January 21 is also the birthday of legendary Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Though he was born in Georgia, Dr. King attended Boston University and lived in Massachusetts for a time. Today, Massachusetts celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January each year.