1. In 1926, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works was established to oversee and improve the state's transportation system. The department is responsible for maintaining and improving roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports throughout the state.

2. On July 29, 1939, the first jet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, made its maiden flight in Germany. This event helped lay the foundation for the development of modern jets, including those used by the Massachusetts-based company Pratt & Whitney.

3. The Massachusetts legislature passed the first state income tax on July 29, 1915. The tax was only a 1% rate on incomes over $2,000, but it marked an important milestone in the state's effort to fund public services.

4. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid programs into law. These programs have had a significant impact on healthcare in Massachusetts and the rest of the country.

5. On July 29, 2010, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the state. Massachusetts was the first state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage, and the ruling paved the way for other states to follow suit.