1. In 1758, the Massachusetts General Court voted to create the "Province of Massachusetts Bay” – a new entity comprised of the old Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Province of Maine.
2. On October 16, 1793, the cornerstone was laid for the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The iconic building is still in use today as the seat of the state government.
3. In 1859, John Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia in an attempt to incite a slave rebellion. The event had repercussions throughout the country, including Massachusetts where some saw Brown as a hero while others saw him as a dangerous extremist.
4. A devastating hurricane struck eastern Massachusetts on October 16, 1841. The hurricane caused widespread damage and flooding, and at least 19 people died.
5. In 1962, the Boston Celtics played their first-ever game at the Boston Garden. The Celtics would go on to become one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, winning a total of 17 championships, including 8 in a row between 1959 and 1966.