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Massachusetts Soldiers Threaten Mutiny

September 30, 1759
September 30, 1759

Massachusetts Soldiers Threaten Mutiny

On this day in 1759, a regiment of Massachusetts men serving in the French and Indian War began to talk of mutiny against their British commander. The colonel had decided not to release the volunteers...

The "Big E" Incorporated

May 27, 1914
May 27, 1914

The "Big E" Incorporated

On this day in 1914, a group of western Massachusetts businessmen created a new organization, the Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition. Its purpose was to promote New England agriculture, which was in serious decline,...

First Students Arrive at Mt. Holyoke Seminary

November 8, 1837
November 8, 1837

First Students Arrive at Mt. Holyoke Seminary

On this day in 1837, 80 students arrived at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in the Connecticut Valley village of South Hadley. Many had traveled for days to reach what would become the first of the...

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...

Aerosmith Opens Lansdowne Street Music Hall

December 19, 1994
December 19, 1994

Aerosmith Opens Lansdowne Street Music Hall

On this day in 1994, Boston-based rock band Aerosmith opened the Mama Kin Music Hall. In the shadow of Fenway Park, the Lansdowne Street facility enjoyed moderate success as a live music venue before the...

UMass Plays in Final Four

March 30, 1996
March 30, 1996

UMass Plays in Final Four

On this day in 1996, the UMass Minutemen ended the winningest season in UMass basketball history. Coached by John Calipari and led by future NBA star Marcus Camby, the Minutemen racked up a 26 game...

Marblehead Carved Out of Salem

May 6, 1635
May 6, 1635

Marblehead Carved Out of Salem

On this day in 1635, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay established the town of Marblehead on land that belonged to Salem. The move was meant to punish Salem for allowing Roger Williams to express...

John Adams Dies

July 4, 1826
July 4, 1826

John Adams Dies

On this day in 1826, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia, John Adams died at home in Braintree. One of the great men of the Revolutionary generation and the second...

Boston Ends Discharge of Sewer Sludge into Harbor

December 24, 1991
December 24, 1991

Boston Ends Discharge of Sewer Sludge into Harbor

On this day in 1991, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ended an age-old practice of dumping sewer sludge directly into Boston Harbor. Proponents of the Boston Harbor Project celebrated this milestone in an 11-year, $3.6...

Mabel Todd First Describes Emily Dickinson

September 15, 1882
September 15, 1882

Mabel Todd First Describes Emily Dickinson

On this day in 1882, Mabel Loomis Todd first recorded her impressions of her mysterious Amherst neighbor. Emily Dickinson always wore white and had her hair arranged "as was the fashion fifteen years ago." "She...

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