1. Boston Tea Party: On December 30, 1773, a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests of tea overboard, an act that became known as the Boston Tea Party. This event was a precursor to the American Revolution.
2. First Public Tree Lighting: On December 30, 1912, Boston's Mayor, John F. Fitzgerald, lit the first public Christmas tree on Boston Common. The tradition continues to this day with the annual lighting ceremony attracting thousands each year.
3. The Blizzard of '78: On December 30, 1978, Massachusetts was hit by one of the most intense blizzards in the state's history. The storm dumped up to 33 inches of snow, caused coastal flooding, and left nearly 100 people dead. The Blizzard of '78 previously took place on January 20, but the event was so significant that the date was changed to December 30th in recognition of the storm's impact.
4. State House Fire: On December 30, 1914, a fire broke out in the Massachusetts State House, causing significant damage. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the building was restored in time for the next legislative session.
5. Boston Marathon Bombings: On April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring over 260 others. On December 30, 2019, a US Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and death sentence of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the individuals responsible for the attacks.