1. On June 9, 1772, the Gaspee Affair occurred in Rhode Island, which had a significant impact on Massachusetts history. A British naval vessel, the HMS Gaspee, had been enforcing the Navigation Acts, and was antagonizing American merchants. A group of Rhode Islanders, including some from Massachusetts, set the ship on fire and pursued the crew. The event is considered a precursor to the American Revolution.

2. In 1894, on June 9, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) held its first graduation ceremony. The university had been founded in 1861 and was originally focused on teaching engineering and applied science. Today, MIT is a world-renowned research university and has been instrumental in technological advancements such as the development of the internet.

3. On June 9, 1959, Edith Nourse Rogers died. Rogers was a Republican congresswoman who represented Massachusetts from 1925 until her death. She was the first woman elected to Congress from New England and was a strong advocate for veterans' rights and women's issues. She was honored with the creation of the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts.

4. In 1973, on June 9, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in the case of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. The ruling was a major step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, and sparked a nationwide movement towards legalizing same-sex marriage.

5. On June 9, 2002, the Boston Celtics played in their first NBA Finals game in 15 years. They faced the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated rematch of their legendary battles in the 1980s. The Celtics ultimately lost the series in four games, but the team's return to the Finals was a source of excitement for Massachusetts basketball fans.