Here are 5 interesting facts about September 18 in Massachusetts history:

1. On September 18, 1685, the trial of Rev. James Bayley took place in Salem, Massachusetts. He was accused of adultery, but the charges could not be proven and he was eventually acquitted.

2. Massachusetts Governor John Winthrop died on September 18, 1649. He was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served as governor several times between 1629 and 1649.

3. On September 18, 1769, Samuel Adams wrote a letter to James Otis, Jr. proposing the formation of committees of correspondence. These committees were instrumental in coordinating the colonial resistance to British rule in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

4. The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, launched on September 18, 1797, from the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. Today, it is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.

5. Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams hit his 521st home run on September 18, 1957, tying him with Willie McCovey for 10th on the all-time home run list at the time. Williams would go on to hit 16 more home runs in his career, finishing with 536 and still ranking 20th on the all-time list.