1. On October 24, 1788, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the sixth state to do so. The state played a crucial role in the early history of the country, serving as a center for revolutionary activity and a hub of intellectual and cultural life.

2. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire broke out on October 8 and burned for two days, destroying much of the city's central business district and leaving more than 100,000 people homeless. On October 24 of that year, a group of Boston firefighters arrived in Chicago to help fight the blaze, earning the gratitude of Chicagoans and cementing the bonds between the two cities.

3. On October 24, 1901, the first machine-made golf balls were produced in Chicopee, Massachusetts by the Spalding Sports Company. Previously, golf balls had been made by hand, limiting their consistency and driving up their cost. The new machine-made balls revolutionized the sport, making it more accessible to the masses.

4. On October 24, 2007, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. The landmark decision, which followed a 2003 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, gave same-sex couples the right to marry and marked a major victory for LGBTQ rights.

5. On October 24, 2018, historical artifacts from the USS Constitution were recovered from the bottom of Massachusetts Bay. The artifacts, which included cannonballs, encased wooden hull planks, and a rudder, had been lost to history for more than 100 years and provided valuable insights into life aboard the famous ship. The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides," is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat.