http://www.massmoments.org/ A daily almanac of Massachusetts history 1440 Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities TheOtherRoom.com CFML RSS Generator Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST en-us Visitors of Mass Moments--a daily almanac of Massachusetts history--can learn more about the Moments presented on the radio, see images and illustrations, read a primary source document, and get suggestions of links to follow and places to visit. Additionally, they can view a timeline to see when a given Moment occurred, and where applicable, a map to see where it happened. Visitors are invited to comment or ask questions about a Moment on our message board, thus providing an on-line community where Bay State history enthusiasts can meet and discuss our past. They can sign up to receive Mass Moments daily in their email, and if they post a question to the message board, they can be notified when someone has responded. Past Moments (those posted since January 1, 2005) are searchable, by key words, subject, time period, and region. A daily almanac of Massachusetts history. Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities Massachusetts almanac, radio program, eMoment, eMoments, Massachusetts history, Bay State, Western Mass, MA, Eastern Mass, Boston, Mass Moments, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, daily history, this day in history, today's history, today in history http://www.massmoments.org/rss/images/mass_moments_75.jpg http://www.massmoments.org/ info@massmoments.org Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=179 On this day in 1968, Governor John Volpe dedicated the Melnea Cass Swimming and Skating Rink in Roxbury. The new facility was intended to improve life in inner city Boston. It was named for a woman who had dedicated her life to the same cause. Melnea Cass had spent nearly half a century working for economic and racial justice. Admired for her selflessness, common sense, and generosity, she was respected by the city's power brokers as a forceful and effective advocate for social change. When she died in 1978, Mrs. Cass had received honorary doctorates and been named "Massachusetts Mother of the Year" and a "Grand Bostonian." The honors did not end with her death. Melnea Cass Boulevard in Lower Roxbury opened in the summer of 1981. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=179 On this day in 1968, Governor John Volpe dedicated the Melnea Cass Swimming and Skating Rink in Roxbury. The new facility was intended to improve life in inner city Boston. It was named for a woman who had dedicated her life to the same cause. Melnea Cass had spent nearly half a century working for economic and racial justice. Admired for her selflessness, common sense, and generosity, she was respected by the city's power brokers as a forceful and effective advocate for social change. When she died in 1978, Mrs. Cass had received honorary doctorates and been named "Massachusetts Mother of the Year" and a "Grand Bostonian." The honors did not end with her death. Melnea Cass Boulevard in Lower Roxbury opened in the summer of 1981. no 0:01:00 Governor Honors Activist Melnea Cass: June 19, 1968 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=178 On this day in 1983, Southbridge celebrated the 150th anniversary of the nation's oldest optical company -- the American Optical Company, or "the A.O." as it was known in the Worcester County town where it began. In 1833 William Beecher opened a spectacle shop. Over the next two decades, the little workshop became a thriving enterprise. By 1879 George Wells, a former apprentice and mechanical genius, owned a controlling interest in what was now called the American Optical Company. Wells built the A.O. into the largest optical company in the world. His three sons carried on the firm, but they also started a new venture: they created Old Sturbridge Village, a nationally renowned living history museum. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=178 On this day in 1983, Southbridge celebrated the 150th anniversary of the nation's oldest optical company -- the American Optical Company, or "the A.O." as it was known in the Worcester County town where it began. In 1833 William Beecher opened a spectacle shop. Over the next two decades, the little workshop became a thriving enterprise. By 1879 George Wells, a former apprentice and mechanical genius, owned a controlling interest in what was now called the American Optical Company. Wells built the A.O. into the largest optical company in the world. His three sons carried on the firm, but they also started a new venture: they created Old Sturbridge Village, a nationally renowned living history museum. no 0:01:00 American Optical Celebrates 150th Anniversary: June 18, 1983 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=177 On this day in 1825, at the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument, Daniel Webster addressed a crowd of 100,000, including 190 veterans who had survived the first major battle of the Revolution -- an encounter between colonial militiamen and a larger number of better-trained and equipped British Regulars. Eventually the Redcoats prevailed, but half their men were killed or wounded in the process. The militiamen suffered high casualties, too, but they -- and people throughout the colonies -- took heart from the strong defense they mounted. Fifty years later, "on the ground distinguished by their valor ... and the shedding of their blood," Webster called on Americans to make a thriving democracy and a strong union a living memorial to the men who had died there. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=177 On this day in 1825, at the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument, Daniel Webster addressed a crowd of 100,000, including 190 veterans who had survived the first major battle of the Revolution -- an encounter between colonial militiamen and a larger number of better-trained and equipped British Regulars. Eventually the Redcoats prevailed, but half their men were killed or wounded in the process. The militiamen suffered high casualties, too, but they -- and people throughout the colonies -- took heart from the strong defense they mounted. Fifty years later, "on the ground distinguished by their valor ... and the shedding of their blood," Webster called on Americans to make a thriving democracy and a strong union a living memorial to the men who had died there. no 0:01:00 Bostonians Lay Cornerstone for Bunker Hill Monument: June 17, 1825 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=176 On this day in 1780, the Massachusetts constitution was declared ratified. The previous fall, the world's first constitutional convention had met in Cambridge. A committee was chosen to write a constitution for the new state; the group delegated the task to John Adams, a fortunate choice. A well-read lawyer who wrote with clarity and elegance, he completed his draft on October 30, 1779. The convention approved it with minimal changes and submitted it to the people. Town meetings all over Massachusetts debated its merits. When the votes were counted on June 15th, more than two-thirds were in favor. A fractious citizenry had approved the constitution.The document became a model for other states and nations. It is the oldest written constitution in the world still in use. Sun, 16 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=176 On this day in 1780, the Massachusetts constitution was declared ratified. The previous fall, the world's first constitutional convention had met in Cambridge. A committee was chosen to write a constitution for the new state; the group delegated the task to John Adams, a fortunate choice. A well-read lawyer who wrote with clarity and elegance, he completed his draft on October 30, 1779. The convention approved it with minimal changes and submitted it to the people. Town meetings all over Massachusetts debated its merits. When the votes were counted on June 15th, more than two-thirds were in favor. A fractious citizenry had approved the constitution.The document became a model for other states and nations. It is the oldest written constitution in the world still in use. no 0:01:00 Massachusetts Approves State Constitution: June 16, 1780 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=175 On this day in 1844, after a decade of hardship and perseverance, Charles Goodyear received a patent for vulcanized rubber. The first boots and clothing made from rubber had performed poorly in the American environment. They melted in the heat and cracked in the cold. Determined to find a way to make rubber stable and pliable, Goodyear moved his family to Massachusetts, where the nation's first rubber factories were located. When one after another of his experiments failed, his family fell into poverty. Finally, on a winter's day in 1839, Goodyear hit on a formula that worked. It took another five years, but in 1844 he patented the process. Charles Goodyear became a celebrity and vulcanized rubber became an unremarkable part of everyday life. Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=175 On this day in 1844, after a decade of hardship and perseverance, Charles Goodyear received a patent for vulcanized rubber. The first boots and clothing made from rubber had performed poorly in the American environment. They melted in the heat and cracked in the cold. Determined to find a way to make rubber stable and pliable, Goodyear moved his family to Massachusetts, where the nation's first rubber factories were located. When one after another of his experiments failed, his family fell into poverty. Finally, on a winter's day in 1839, Goodyear hit on a formula that worked. It took another five years, but in 1844 he patented the process. Charles Goodyear became a celebrity and vulcanized rubber became an unremarkable part of everyday life. no 0:01:00 Charles Goodyear Receives Patent for Vulcanized Rubber: June 15, 1844 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=174 On this day in 1962, police discovered the body of the first victim of the "Boston Strangler." For the next two years, Boston would be paralyzed by fear as the strangling deaths of 13 women went unsolved. Single women took turns staying with one another and were anxious about going out alone, even in the daytime. When construction worker Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings in March of 1965, the city breathed a sigh of relief. But shortly after being sentenced to life in prison, DeSalvo escaped. He was recaptured the next day after a massive manhunt. DeSalvo died in prison in 1973, after he had recanted his confession. Doubts persist as to whether he was in fact the real "Boston Strangler." Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=174 On this day in 1962, police discovered the body of the first victim of the "Boston Strangler." For the next two years, Boston would be paralyzed by fear as the strangling deaths of 13 women went unsolved. Single women took turns staying with one another and were anxious about going out alone, even in the daytime. When construction worker Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings in March of 1965, the city breathed a sigh of relief. But shortly after being sentenced to life in prison, DeSalvo escaped. He was recaptured the next day after a massive manhunt. DeSalvo died in prison in 1973, after he had recanted his confession. Doubts persist as to whether he was in fact the real "Boston Strangler." no 0:01:00 Police Find First Victim of "Boston Strangler": June 14, 1962 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=191 On this day in 1870, a train arrived in North Adams with 75 young men from China hired to replace striking shoe workers. Over 2,000 people watched as the men walked to the factory under police escort. The crowd was hostile, but there was no violence. The Chinese proved to be both cheaper and more efficient than the union shoe workers they replaced. But a Chinese community did not take root in Berkshire County. Within a decade, only five Chinese men remained in North Adams. Small numbers of Chinese could be found living in other Bay State cities, but Boston was the only place in Massachusetts to develop a real Chinatown. For over half a century, the population of Chinatown was almost entirely male. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=191 On this day in 1870, a train arrived in North Adams with 75 young men from China hired to replace striking shoe workers. Over 2,000 people watched as the men walked to the factory under police escort. The crowd was hostile, but there was no violence. The Chinese proved to be both cheaper and more efficient than the union shoe workers they replaced. But a Chinese community did not take root in Berkshire County. Within a decade, only five Chinese men remained in North Adams. Small numbers of Chinese could be found living in other Bay State cities, but Boston was the only place in Massachusetts to develop a real Chinatown. For over half a century, the population of Chinatown was almost entirely male. no 0:01:00 Chinese Workers Arrive in North Adams: June 13, 1870