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Boston Celebrates 250th Birthday

September 17, 1880
September 17, 1880

Boston Celebrates 250th Birthday

On this day in 1880 Boston celebrated its 250th birthday. For three and a half hours during the day, a column of 14,500 people marched four and a half miles though the city. The festivities...

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...

Paul Revere Statue Unveiled

September 22, 1940
September 22, 1940

Paul Revere Statue Unveiled

On this day in 1940, a bronze statue of Paul Revere was unveiled in the shadow of the Old North Church. In the crowd of 8,000, stood the sculptor — 79-year-old Cyrus Dallin. He had...

Boston Garden Hosts Final Game

September 26, 1995
September 26, 1995

Boston Garden Hosts Final Game

On this day in 1995, the Bruins played the final game at the Boston Garden. For almost 70 years, the cavernous building served as the city's main sports arena and exhibition hall. Here the Celtics...

Ted Williams Bats for the Last Time

September 28, 1960
September 28, 1960

Ted Williams Bats for the Last Time

On this day in 1960, Ted Williams thrilled the fans at Fenway by hitting a dramatic homer at his last at-bat in his 21-year career with the Boston Red Sox. A complicated man and brilliant...

Duxbury Dedicates Standish Monument

October 7, 1872
October 7, 1872

Duxbury Dedicates Standish Monument

On this day in 1872, a crowd of 10,000 climbed to the top of Captain's Hill in Duxbury to watch the cornerstone being laid for the Myles Standish Monument. Military leader of the Plymouth Colony,...

Town Meeting Auctions Poor Woman to Lowest Bidder

October 18, 1786
October 18, 1786

Town Meeting Auctions Poor Woman to Lowest Bidder

On this day in 1786, Malden's selectmen put up for "vendue" Mary Degresha, who was unable to support herself. They auctioned her off to the lowest bidder, who agreed to accept payment of six dollars...

USS Constitution Launched in Boston

October 21, 1797
October 21, 1797

USS Constitution Launched in Boston

On this day in 1797, USS Constitution was launched in Boston. It took three attempts to set the immense ship, reinforced with heavy diagonal planking and copper sheathing, afloat. Shipyard officials warned townspeople to be...

Millerites Await End of the World

October 22, 1844
October 22, 1844

Millerites Await End of the World

On this day in 1844, tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts expected the world to come to an end. They were followers of William Miller, a man who claimed to know the date of...

Red Sox Win World Series

October 27, 2004
October 27, 2004

Red Sox Win World Series

On this day in 2004, the Boston Red Sox ended an 86-year drought and buried the "Curse of the Bambino." They won the World Series! Their sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals was almost —...

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