Today In History
5 Fun Facts About July 22 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1630, English colonists founded the city of Boston on July 22. The Puritans led by John Winthrop arrived in Massachusetts Bay and selected the Shawmut Peninsula as one of the ideal settlements for their new colony. 2. On July 22, 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental...
5 Fun Facts About July 21 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1970, thousands of anti-Vietnam War protesters marched through Boston Common. The peaceful protest turned violent when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd. 2. On July 21, 1861, the first units of Massachusetts volunteers left for the Civil War. Over 160,000 Massachusetts men would serve...
5 Fun Facts About July 20 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1775, during the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts patriot Paul Revere rode from Charlestown to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the approaching British army. This ride became known as "Paul Revere's midnight ride" and played a significant role in the events leading up to the first...
5 Fun Facts About July 19 In Massachusetts History
1. On July 19, 1692, Sarah Good was executed for being accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. She was one of 19 people executed during the Salem witch trials. 2. The USS Constitution, a naval vessel also known as "Old Ironsides," was launched in Boston Harbor on July 19, 1797....
5 Fun Facts About July 18 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, which would ultimately lead to the successful American Revolutionary War against Britain. 2. In 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first African American regiment to be raised in the North during the Civil War,...
5 Fun Facts About July 17 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1763, a group of colonists in Haverhill protested against the Stamp Act, which they saw as an unfair tax on paper goods. The protest led to a boycott of British goods and helped to spark the American Revolution. 2. On July 17, 1821, the state of Massachusetts officially...
5 Fun Facts About July 16 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1661, Mary Walcott, one of the accusers during the Salem witch trials, was born in Reading, Massachusetts. The trials, which took place in 1692, resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft. 2. On July 16, 1779, a group of Franco-American troops launched a failed attempt...
5 Fun Facts About July 15 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1916, Nashua River in Massachusetts flooded causing property damage and loss of life. The dam broke in the early hours of July 15 causing a deluge that destroyed businesses and homes. 2. The Massachusetts state flag was adopted on July 15, 1908. The flag features a coat of...
5 Fun Facts About July 14 In Massachusetts History
1. Bastille Day Celebration in Boston: On July 14, 1906, a French-inspired parade took place in Boston to celebrate Bastille Day, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in France, marking the start of the French Revolution. This was one of the first major celebrations of Bastille Day in...
5 Fun Facts About July 13 In Massachusetts History
1. The Salem Witch Trials: On July 13, 1692, five more people were accused and arrested for witchcraft during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 people, all accused of witchcraft, and became a dark mark on Massachusetts history. 2. Battle of Minot's Light:...
5 Fun Facts About July 12 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1796, Massachusetts approved the first state statute in the United States to require vaccination against smallpox. This was a landmark law in public health history. 2. On July 12, 1549, Jesuit priest Francis Xavier arrived in Japan, marking the beginning of the spread of Christianity in Japan. Xavier...
5 Fun Facts About July 11 In Massachusetts History
1. In 1848, the Massachusetts State Reform School, now known as the Lyman School for Boys, was established in Westborough. It was the first state-operated reform school in the United States. 2. On July 11, 1898, the United States Congress declared war on Spain, marking the beginning of the Spanish-American...