August 3 is a significant day in Massachusetts history. Here are five interesting facts about this day:

1. In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on his first voyage to the Americas. Although Columbus was not associated with Massachusetts, his discovery of the new land eventually led to European colonization of the region.

2. On August 3, 1769, Boston lawyer and future Founding Father John Adams married Abigail Smith in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The couple would go on to have six children and share a strong bond that was documented in their many letters to each other.

3. The USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” was launched on August 3, 1797, in Boston Harbor. The ship played a crucial role in the War of 1812 and is still afloat today as a museum ship in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

4. On August 3, 1833, Boston’s first horse-drawn streetcar began service, running from Fort Hill to Maverick Square in East Boston. This innovation in transportation paved the way for Boston’s extensive system of streetcars and subways.

5. The city of Worcester, Massachusetts was established on August 3, 1848. Located in central Massachusetts, Worcester became a major industrial center during the 19th century and remains an important city in the state today.