http://www.massmoments.org/ A daily almanac of Massachusetts history 1440 Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities TheOtherRoom.com CFML RSS Generator Tue, 09 Feb 2010 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 no 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=47 On this day in 1895, a new game was first played at the YMCA in Holyoke. Many of the men who came to the Y were excited about another new game; basketball, but the Holyoke sports director was looking for a less strenuous indoor sport. Borrowing from basketball, tennis, and handball, William Morgan came up with "Mintonette," soon re-named volleyball. Over the next half-century, the game spread around the world. At the first Olympic competition in the 1964 games in Tokyo, the Soviet men and Japanese women took the Gold. However, when the Volleyball Hall of Fame opened in 1987, it was in Holyoke, the Massachusetts mill town where the game was born. ]]> 09 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=47 On this day in 1895, a new game was first played at the YMCA in Holyoke. Many of the men who came to the Y were excited about another new game; basketball, but the Holyoke sports director was looking for a less strenuous indoor sport. Borrowing from basketball, tennis, and handball, William Morgan came up with "Mintonette," soon re-named volleyball. Over the next half-century, the game spread around the world. At the first Olympic competition in the 1964 games in Tokyo, the Soviet men and Japanese women took the Gold. However, when the Volleyball Hall of Fame opened in 1987, it was in Holyoke, the Massachusetts mill town where the game was born. no 0:01:00 Holyoke Man Invents Volleyball : February 9, 1895 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=46 On this day in 1991, Representative Silvio Conte died at age 70. A Republican in a largely Democratic state, more liberal than most members of his party, the Pittsfield native never lost an election in his 32-year career. A powerful figure in Congress for over 30 years, he was a fun-loving and down-to-earth man who maintained a strong bond with his constituents. He was an advocate for public education, medical research, and the preservation of natural resources. One of his last accomplishments was to shepherd through Congress legislation to clean up the Connecticut River and restore Atlantic Salmon to it. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, headquartered in Turners Falls, is named in his honor. ]]> 08 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=46 On this day in 1991, Representative Silvio Conte died at age 70. A Republican in a largely Democratic state, more liberal than most members of his party, the Pittsfield native never lost an election in his 32-year career. A powerful figure in Congress for over 30 years, he was a fun-loving and down-to-earth man who maintained a strong bond with his constituents. He was an advocate for public education, medical research, and the preservation of natural resources. One of his last accomplishments was to shepherd through Congress legislation to clean up the Connecticut River and restore Atlantic Salmon to it. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, headquartered in Turners Falls, is named in his honor. no 0:01:00 Silvio Conte Dies: February 8, 1991 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=45 On this day in 1978, the storm of the century paralyzed the entire state of Massachusetts. The Blizzard of '78 dropped between two and four feet of snow on the Bay State in the space of 32 hours. Ferocious winds created drifts as high as 15 feet. Along the coast, flood tides forced 10,000 people into emergency shelters. Inland, over 3,000 cars and 500 trucks were immobilized along an eight-mile stretch of Route 128. By the time it subsided, the storm had taken 29 Massachusetts lives, destroyed 11,000 homes, and caused more than one billion dollars in damage. The Blizzard of '78 is also remembered for many acts of kindness, cooperation, and courage. ]]> 07 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=45 On this day in 1978, the storm of the century paralyzed the entire state of Massachusetts. The Blizzard of '78 dropped between two and four feet of snow on the Bay State in the space of 32 hours. Ferocious winds created drifts as high as 15 feet. Along the coast, flood tides forced 10,000 people into emergency shelters. Inland, over 3,000 cars and 500 trucks were immobilized along an eight-mile stretch of Route 128. By the time it subsided, the storm had taken 29 Massachusetts lives, destroyed 11,000 homes, and caused more than one billion dollars in damage. The Blizzard of '78 is also remembered for many acts of kindness, cooperation, and courage. no 0:01:00 Blizzard Paralyzes Massachusetts: February 7, 1978 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=44 On this day in 1887, lifelong political activist Florence Luscomb was born in Lowell. As a child, she heard the legendary Susan B. Anthony speak. In her 20s, she traveled the state campaigning for woman suffrage. In her 30s, she ran for public office, coming within 1% point of winning a seat on the Boston City Council. In her 60s, she was the Progressive Party's nominee for Governor. She remained an activist well into her 80s. In the last decades of her long life, she was a living bridge between the first and second waves of American feminism. A bust of Luscomb is included in a work of art installed in the State House to honor the contributions of women to public life in Massachusetts. ]]> 06 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=44 On this day in 1887, lifelong political activist Florence Luscomb was born in Lowell. As a child, she heard the legendary Susan B. Anthony speak. In her 20s, she traveled the state campaigning for woman suffrage. In her 30s, she ran for public office, coming within 1% point of winning a seat on the Boston City Council. In her 60s, she was the Progressive Party's nominee for Governor. She remained an activist well into her 80s. In the last decades of her long life, she was a living bridge between the first and second waves of American feminism. A bust of Luscomb is included in a work of art installed in the State House to honor the contributions of women to public life in Massachusetts. no 0:01:00 Activist Florence Luscomb Born: February 6, 1887 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=43 On this day in 1727, Jonathan Edwards was ordained in Northampton. Two years later, he succeeded his grandfather as minister of what was then the largest and most influential church outside of Boston. He was young -- only 23 -- but he was already a brilliant thinker and charismatic preacher. Alarmed by the lax religious practices and spiritual complacency of his parishioners, he began preaching on the terrifying consequences of sin. His fire and brimstone sermons created a state of religious panic and produced conversions by the hundreds. The revival he inspired spread from Northampton to every corner of the colonies. During the height of the Great Awakening, as the movement was called, Jonathan Edwards was the most powerful man in British North America. ]]> 05 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=43 On this day in 1727, Jonathan Edwards was ordained in Northampton. Two years later, he succeeded his grandfather as minister of what was then the largest and most influential church outside of Boston. He was young -- only 23 -- but he was already a brilliant thinker and charismatic preacher. Alarmed by the lax religious practices and spiritual complacency of his parishioners, he began preaching on the terrifying consequences of sin. His fire and brimstone sermons created a state of religious panic and produced conversions by the hundreds. The revival he inspired spread from Northampton to every corner of the colonies. During the height of the Great Awakening, as the movement was called, Jonathan Edwards was the most powerful man in British North America. no 0:01:00 Jonathan Edwards Ordained: February 5, 1727 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=42 On this day in 1993, there was standing room only in the Boston Garden as the Celtics retired Larry Bird's number. In his 13 seasons with Boston, Bird emerged as the embodiment of "Celtics Pride." He joined the team in 1980 and was the NBA Rookie of the Year. With Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, he led the Celtics to ten Atlantic Division Crowns and three NBA titles. The league's MVP three seasons in a row, he still holds the all-time Celtics record for free-throws. Bird's shooting prowess and brilliant defense drew crowds across the country, and helped rekindle enthusiasm for professional basketball. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. ]]> 04 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=42 On this day in 1993, there was standing room only in the Boston Garden as the Celtics retired Larry Bird's number. In his 13 seasons with Boston, Bird emerged as the embodiment of "Celtics Pride." He joined the team in 1980 and was the NBA Rookie of the Year. With Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, he led the Celtics to ten Atlantic Division Crowns and three NBA titles. The league's MVP three seasons in a row, he still holds the all-time Celtics record for free-throws. Bird's shooting prowess and brilliant defense drew crowds across the country, and helped rekindle enthusiasm for professional basketball. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. no 0:01:00 Boston Celtics Retire Larry Bird's Number: February 4, 1993 http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=41 On this day in 1956, figure skater Tenley Albright won the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy. This should not have been a surprise but it was. The 20-year-old from Newton was the clear favorite until she injured herself only two weeks before the games. Few people thought she would be able to compete, but she did. She skated flawlessly and became the first American figure skater to win gold. Tenley Albright had defied the odds before. Stricken with polio at age 11, she had skated her way to recovery. Her determination made her a great skater and, after her retirement from competition, helped her realize her other life ambition. She became a respected surgeon and medical researcher. ]]> 03 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST http://www.massmoments.org/index.cfm?mid=41 On this day in 1956, figure skater Tenley Albright won the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy. This should not have been a surprise but it was. The 20-year-old from Newton was the clear favorite until she injured herself only two weeks before the games. Few people thought she would be able to compete, but she did. She skated flawlessly and became the first American figure skater to win gold. Tenley Albright had defied the odds before. Stricken with polio at age 11, she had skated her way to recovery. Her determination made her a great skater and, after her retirement from competition, helped her realize her other life ambition. She became a respected surgeon and medical researcher. no 0:01:00 Tenley Albright Wins Olympic Gold: February 3, 1956