1. On October 26, 1774, delegates from all over Massachusetts met at the First Provincial Congress in Salem. They discussed options for resistance to the British Intolerable Acts, which had severely limited the colony's autonomy. This Congress ultimately led to the formation of the Massachusetts Provincial Army, which played a key role in the American Revolution.

2. October 26, 1879 is the birth date of Anna Coleman Ladd, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi who moved to Boston and became a renowned sculptor. During World War I, she created realistic masks for soldiers who had been disfigured by war wounds or gas. Her work helped many men return to civilian life with confidence and dignity.

3. On October 26, 1785, a group of prominent Bostonians founded the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. It offered education and training to craftsmen and artisans, many of whom were former soldiers seeking new skills and careers. The Association also supported social and cultural events, and helped establish the Boston Public Library.

4. In 1868, October 26 marked the inauguration of Governor William Claflin, who had been elected as the 27th governor of Massachusetts. Claflin had previously been a businessman and a member of the Radical Republicans. During his first term, he championed legislation for public education, labor reform, and suffrage for African Americans.

5. On October 26, 1930, Boston College football player Barry Wood made a touchdown run of 97 yards against New York University, setting a national record for the longest rushing play in college football history. The record stood for 16 years, and Wood went on to become a lawyer and serve as a Massachusetts state senator.