1. In 1775, the British army launched an attack on the city of Newport, Rhode Island, which was then a part of Massachusetts. This attack, which lasted for several days, was ultimately unsuccessful, and represented one of the earliest major military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.

2. On December 9, 1822, the Massachusetts legislature approved a resolution recognizing the need for public education in the state. This resolution eventually led to the establishment of the nation's first state board of education, which helped to lay the groundwork for the development of modern public school systems across the country.

3. In 1872, the Birth Control League of Massachusetts was founded in Boston. This organization, which later became known as Planned Parenthood, helped to lead the fight for reproductive health and rights in the state and across the country.

4. On December 9, 1914, the Boston Braves announced that they had signed Babe Ruth, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in the history of baseball. Ruth played for the Braves for just one season before being traded to the New York Yankees, but his impact on the sport was immense.

5. In 2001, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. This historic milestone, which came after decades of activism and advocacy by LGBTQ+ people and their allies, helped to pave the way for marriage equality across the country.