11 Surprising Firsts That Massachusetts Can Proudly Claim

As a state, Massachusetts knows how to lead the pack. Apart from being one of the 13 U.S. colonies that gained independence from Great Britain in 1776, it's also home to some historical landmarks that played an integral role in the Revolutionary War. But beyond the history, many things have also been invented in our beloved Bay State.

From the first-ever public school to the first sewing machine, newspaper, and American novel, Massachusetts is a hub of groundbreaking art, literature, and culture. Here are 11 Massachusetts firsts that everyone, locals and visitors alike, should know about.

1. We Opened the First Free Public School

The state of Massachusetts opened the first free American public school, the Mather School, in Dorchester in 1639. This is why we're wicked "smaht." The original property was a one-room schoolhouse on the corner of current-day Pleasant and Cottage Street. Now, Mather Elementary School is directly adjacent to the First Parish Dorchester, and serves children in Kindergarten through fifth grade. This is definitely one of the most influential things Massachusetts did first.

2. We Started the First Regularly Issued Newspaper

The Boston News-Letter, first published in Boston in 1704, was the first regularly issued newspaper in the U.S. It was heavily subsidized by the British government, had limited circulation, and required the governor's approval of all copies.

3. The First American Lighthouse Was Built Here

In 1716, the first American lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor. The Boston Light is still standing today and is located on Little Brewster Island. It attracts thousands of visitors year-round and is an iconic historical landmark for the Bay State.

4. We Published the First American Novel

The first American novel, "The Power of Sympathy" by William Hill Brown, was published in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1789. This was Brown's first novel, and detailed the character's struggles with passion, seduction, the moral education of women, and the importance of rational thinking.

5. Rubber Was First Produced Here

Rubber was first vulcanized (aka hardened) in 1839 by Charles Goodyear in Woburn, Massachusetts. Today, Goodyear is a popular tire brand that is used all over the U.S., solidifying the inventor's important discovery and product all those years ago. Goodyear was even inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1976. Who knew!

6. We Made the First Sewing Machine

Elias Howe invented the first-ever sewing machine in 1845 in Boston. His prototype—which eventually turned into the modern lockstitch sewing machine—changed everyday life and helped industrialize the clothing industry.

7. We Printed the First American Christmas Card

The first American Christmas card was printed in Boston in 1875 by lithographer and printer Louis Prang. Prang's early cards featured simple drawings of flowers, but over time, they evolved to more intricate and festive designs. It's fair to assume he helped pave the way for our modern-day Hallmark cards.

8. We Hosted the First Basketball Game

The first-ever U.S. basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891. This game was thanks to Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor. His attempt to create a game that could be played indoors between football and baseball seasons successfully transformed into a beloved game. The infamous match was played at Springfield's International YMCA Training School.

9. The First Public Park Opened Here

Boston Common became the first public park in the U.S. in 1634. The Common has been used as grazing land for cows, a campground for American Revolutionary soldiers, and as the site of hangings for witchcraft. Now, it's simply a beautiful park where people can walk through, picnic at, or marvel at the trees that hold so much history and state lore.

10. We Perfected the First Gas-Powered Automobile

The first successful gasoline-powered automobile was perfected by brothers Charles and Frank Duryea in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1892. Of course, other versions of this invention were developed before this, but none were successful in transportation. This gave way to the invention of the Model T Ford in the early 1900s.

11. The First Computer Was Developed Here

In 1928, the first computer, a non-electronic "differential analyzer," was developed by Dr. Vannevar Bush, of M.I.T., in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Six integrators and several input and output tables had to be meticulously connected to produce solutions to each new problem. Of all the Massachusetts inventions, this one likely had the farthest-reaching effect on the world.

Which of these Massachusetts-born inventions did you know about? If you're hungry for more fun facts about the Bay State, use Only In Your State's itinerary planner to map out a personalized history tour around the state.