1. In 1643, the first official meeting of the United Colonies of New England took place in Boston. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony, Connecticut Colony, and New Haven Colony. The Congress was formed to coordinate the colonies' defense against Native American tribes and Dutch settlements.

2. In 1693, the first recorded execution for piracy in America occurred in Boston. The pirates William Fly, John Romay, and Christopher Moody were hanged in front of a large crowd of spectators on Boston Common.

3. In 1776, General George Washington addressed his troops before they crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack on the Hessian forces garrisoned in Trenton, New Jersey. The speech, known as the "Crossing of the Delaware," inspired the troops and bolstered their determination to win the American Revolution.

4. In 1854, the Worcester Telegraph reported the discovery of a whale in the city's Blackstone River. Despite being more than fifty miles inland, the whale was discovered by fishermen who were able to push it back into deeper water.

5. In 1965, the Amesbury Town Hall caught fire and was destroyed. The historic building, which had been built in 1894, was the site of many important events in Amesbury's history, including debates over women's suffrage and the founding of the town's first library. The town hall was eventually rebuilt, and now serves as the seat of local government for Amesbury.