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Dunkin’ Donuts Founder Dies

September 20, 2002
September 20, 2002

Dunkin’ Donuts Founder Dies

On this day in 2002, Dorchester native William Rosenberg, who made a morning stop for coffee and donuts a national habit, died at the age of 86. In a classic rags-to-riches story, the Dunkin' Donuts...

First Merriam-Webster Dictionary Published in Springfield

September 24, 1847
September 24, 1847

First Merriam-Webster Dictionary Published in Springfield

On this day in 1847, Charles and George Merriam of Springfield published the first edition of The American Dictionary of the English Language. Four years earlier, the brothers had decided to take a major risk....

Shoppers' World Launches Mall Era

October 5, 1951
October 5, 1951

Shoppers' World Launches Mall Era

On this day in 1951, Shoppers' World in Framingham opened for business. The first suburban shopping mall in the Northeast, and only the second in the country, the complex was a revolutionary design. Anchored by...

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...

Great Fire Devastates Boston

November 9, 1872
November 9, 1872

Great Fire Devastates Boston

On this day in 1872, a monstrous fire nearly destroyed Boston's business district, ravaging the city from the Common to the waterfront. Beginning in a dry goods store, the blaze burned for 15 hours with...

First Artificial Snow Falls on Mt. Greylock

November 13, 1946
November 13, 1946

First Artificial Snow Falls on Mt. Greylock

On this day in 1946, an airplane flew over Mount Greylock in western Massachusetts and seeded the clouds with super-cooled ice crystals. The first-ever artificially-produced snow melted before it hit the slopes below, but the...

King Gillette Patents Safety Razor

November 15, 1904
November 15, 1904

King Gillette Patents Safety Razor

On this day in 1904, Boston-based inventor King Camp Gillette received a patent for an improved safety razor with a disposable blade. After almost 10 years of work, Gillette succeeded in mass-producing a sharp blade...

"Richest Woman in America" Born in New Bedford

November 21, 1834
November 21, 1834

"Richest Woman in America" Born in New Bedford

On this day in 1834, the wealthiest whaling family in New Bedford celebrated the birth of their only daughter. This little girl would grow up to be the richest — and, according to legend, the...

George Peabody Thanks Danvers

November 30, 1853
November 30, 1853

George Peabody Thanks Danvers

On this day in 1853, George Peabody thanked the citizens of South Danvers for naming the high school in his honor and immediately set up a $200 account "to be expended as rewards of merit...

Erastus Bigelow Dies

December 6, 1879
December 6, 1879

Erastus Bigelow Dies

On this day in 1879, Erastus Bigelow, the father of the modern carpet industry, died in Boston. Born in West Boylston, Bigelow and his brother followed their father into the textile business. After several inventions...

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