1. In 1970, thousands of anti-Vietnam War protesters marched through Boston Common. The peaceful protest turned violent when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd.

2. On July 21, 1861, the first units of Massachusetts volunteers left for the Civil War. Over 160,000 Massachusetts men would serve in the war, and over 13,000 would lose their lives.

3. In 1921, the first radio broadcast of a baseball game was made in Massachusetts. The game was between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies.

4. The famous Salem witch trials began in 1692 and lasted for several months. The trials were held in Salem, Massachusetts, and resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft.

5. The USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides," was launched on July 21, 1798. The ship played an important role in the War of 1812 and is still afloat today, making it the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.