1. In 1966, the city of Boston experienced a massive blizzard that brought over 26 inches of snow in just 24 hours. The storm caused widespread power outages and transportation disruptions, resulting in 46 deaths and causing over $450 million in damages.

2. On January 17, 1776, General George Washington ordered his troops to place artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor. This strategic move forced British troops to abandon their stronghold in Boston, effectively ending the city's occupation during the Revolutionary War.

3. In 1893, the first women's basketball game was played at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. The game was invented by Senda Berenson, a physical education instructor at the college, and it quickly spread to other schools across the country.

4. The Boston Celtics basketball team played their first game on January 17, 1950, at the Boston Garden. The team went on to become one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, winning 17 championships and launching the careers of legendary players like Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Paul Pierce.

5. In 1912, a massive fire destroyed the historic Beverly Cotton Manufactory, one of the oldest textile mills in the United States. The fire caused over $2 million in damages and forced hundreds of workers out of their jobs. The mill was eventually rebuilt and continued to operate until the 1950s.