1. On January 9, 1776, Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet "Common Sense" was published in Boston. The essay argued for American independence from British rule and played a key role in shaping public opinion and fueling the revolution.

2. On January 9, 1839, Massachusetts Governor Edward Everett signed the law establishing the state's first public library system. The law enabled towns to establish libraries and, with state funding, ensure access to books for all residents.

3. On January 9, 1861, the Massachusetts legislature ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Massachusetts was one of the first states to ratify the amendment, which was later ratified by the requisite number of states and became law in 1865.

4. On January 9, 1894, the first basketball game was played at a Massachusetts YMCA between the teams from the local high school and college. The sport was invented by Canadian James Naismith, who had been hired by the YMCA to develop a new indoor game to keep young men active during the winter months.

5. On January 9, 2007, Governor Deval Patrick was inaugurated as the first African American governor of Massachusetts. Patrick, a Democrat, served two terms and led efforts to expand education, healthcare, and economic opportunity in the state.