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Revolutionary War Commander Artemas Ward Dies

October 28, 1800
October 28, 1800

Revolutionary War Commander Artemas Ward Dies

On this day in 1800, the man who commanded the ragtag American force that chased the British Regulars back to Boston following the battles of Lexington and Concord died at home in Shrewsbury. Trusted and...

Stock Market Crash Heralds Great Depression

October 29, 1929
October 29, 1929

Stock Market Crash Heralds Great Depression

On this day in 1929, stock markets in Boston, New York, and other major American cities tumbled so dramatically that the day was named Black Tuesday. Capping five days of frenzied panic selling, Black Tuesday...

Underwater Explorer Proves Wreck is Whydah

October 30, 1985
October 30, 1985

Underwater Explorer Proves Wreck is Whydah

On this day in 1985, treasure hunter Barry Clifford finally had proof that the wreck he was salvaging off Cape Cod was indeed the pirate ship Whydah. Lost in a violent storm off Wellfleet in...

Washington Ends Visit to Massachusetts

October 31, 1789
October 31, 1789

Washington Ends Visit to Massachusetts

On this day in 1789, George Washington concluded a ten-day presidential visit to Massachusetts. Adoring crowds of grateful citizens greeted him everywhere. People preserved the dishes he used, the chairs he sat on, and the...

First Issue of The Atlantic Monthly Published

November 1, 1857
November 1, 1857

First Issue of The Atlantic Monthly Published

On this day in 1857, the first issue of The Atlantic Monthly magazine was published in Boston. Although none of the articles was signed, most readers easily recognized the work of such New England luminaries...

Voters Deny Massachusetts Women the Vote

November 2, 1915
November 2, 1915

Voters Deny Massachusetts Women the Vote

On this day in 1915, a referendum to give Massachusetts women the vote failed at the polls. In spite of its leading role in the nineteenth-century woman's rights movement, Massachusetts was the first state to...

Mayor Curley Jeopardizes Election

November 3, 1929
November 3, 1929

Mayor Curley Jeopardizes Election

On this day in 1929, James Michael Curley, heavily favored to win his third term as mayor of Boston, used a radio appearance to defame a school committee member who had spoken out against him....

Pitcher Cy Young Dies

November 4, 1955
November 4, 1955

Pitcher Cy Young Dies

On this day in 1955, legendary pitcher Cy Young died. He spent much of his 22-year career in Boston, arriving in 1901 to play for the new American League team that would become the Red...

Missionary Opens School for Mohican Indians

November 5, 1734
November 5, 1734

Missionary Opens School for Mohican Indians

On this day in 1734, the Yale-trained missionary John Sergeant opened a school for Mohican Indian children in Great Barrington. About 50 members of the Housatonic tribe of the Mohicans joined four English families on...

Boston's "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald Elected to Congress

November 6, 1895
November 6, 1895

Boston's "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald Elected to Congress

On this day in 1895, a colorful Irishman from Boston's North End, nicknamed "Honey Fitz" for his charming and loquacious ways, was elected to the U.S. Congress. Ten years later, John Francis Fitzgerald returned to...

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