1. In 1787, Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution, helping to establish the original 13 colonies as a nation. The state played a crucial role in the formation of the country and its early government.

2. In 1901, the first transatlantic radio transmission was sent from South Wellfleet, Massachusetts to Poldhu, Cornwall, England by Italian inventor and physicist Guglielmo Marconi. This groundbreaking communication marked the beginning of wireless communication technology and its use in worldwide communication.

3. In 1915, Grace Murray Hopper was born in New York City, but she would later move to Massachusetts and become one of the state's most celebrated computer scientists. Hopper is credited with developing one of the first high-level programming languages, COBOL, and played an instrumental role in the development of modern computing technology.

4. In 1972, Massachusetts became the first state in the US to enact legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. The law prohibited employers, housing providers, and other entities from discriminating against individuals based on sexual orientation, and served as a major breakthrough for LGBT rights in the US.

5. In 2000, the historic Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse fire occurred in Worcester, Massachusetts, resulting in the deaths of six firefighters. The tragedy was a turning point in the history of the Worcester Fire Department, prompting the creation of new safety regulations and equipment, and helping to ensure that similar tragedies never occur again.