Massachusetts History

    In 1620, the Pilgrims (who sailed over on the Mayflower) started the first English settlement. They started a town called Plymouth. The Pilgrims came here seeking religious freedom.

    On September 17th, 1630 the city of Boston was founded. Two years later it became the capital of Massachusetts. In 1692, the Salem Witch Trials began. During this time hundreds of people were accused of being witches and either sent to jail or executed.

    In 1773, colonists were angered by being taxed by the British Parliment. This caused the Boson Tea Party. They boarded ships and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor.

    On March 5th, 1770 the Boston Massacre occured. A mob of colonists began throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks at a group of British soldiers. The British soldiers had fired at the colonists and three people were killed on the spot. Eight others were wounded. A town meeting was called. The colonists wanted the British soldiers removed. John Adams proved the British soldiers not guilty. Later on two British soldiers were found guilty of murder.

    On April 19th, 1775, British troops fight American Minutemen in Lexington. Eight people were killed. They moved onto Concord and began to fight again. In the end 93 colonists were killed and 273 British Soldiers. They British retreated back to Boston. These were the first battles of the American Revolution.

     On June 17th, 1775, the American army was outnumbered but they held their ground for two and a half hours before retreating at the Battle of Bunkert Hill.

     On February 6th, 1788 Massachusetts becomes the 6th state in the union. In 1872, the Great Fire destroyes 65 acres of Boston.

Sorces: www.mass.gov