From the cradle of the American Revolution to innovations that shaped culture, education, and industry.

Massachusetts has long been a place of firsts. It was here that the first public school opened, the first American newspaper was published, and the first public park welcomed visitors. From pioneering advances in higher education and the abolitionist movement to culinary favorites and groundbreaking industries, the state’s legacy of leadership and creativity runs deep. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, Massachusetts’ “firsts” remind us that its spirit of innovation and independence continues to shape America today.

The Many Firsts of Massachusetts

From the cradle of the American Revolution to innovations that shaped culture, education, and industry.

1621

First Thanksgiving

1635

First Public School in America

1634

First American Public Park

1636

First American University

1639

First Printing Press  in America

1644

First Free American Public School

1650

First American Ironworks

1653

First Free Public Library in America

1704

First Continuously Published Newspaper in America

1716

First American Lighthouse

1773

First Black Poet to Publish a Book

1775

First Commissioned Ship of the U.S. Navy

1775

First Battle of the American Revolution

1776

First Independent State

1780

First State Constitution

1789

First American Novel Published

1806

First Black Church in America

1826

First American Railroad

1831

First Abolitionist Newspaper in America

1831

First Rural/Landscape Cemetery in America

1850

First National Women's Rights Convention

1851

First YMCA in America

1856

First Boston Cream Pie

1866

First Black Legislators Elected

1874

First Tennis Courts

1876

First Telephone Call

1877

First Woman to Earn a PhD in America

1879

First Black Professional Nurse in America

1883

First Shoelace Machine

1884

First Bread Making Machine

1885

First Large, Urban Park System in America

1889

First Public Outdoor Gymnasiums in America

1891

First Basketball Game

1891

First Fig Newton

1892

First Gasoline-Powered Automobile in America

1895

First Volleyball Game

1896

First Public Beach in America

1897

First U.S. Marathon

1897

First American Subway System

1901

First Disposable Razor

1903

First World Series Baseball Game

1903

First Trans-Atlantic Message

1905

First Gasoline-Powered Fire Truck

1916

First Fried Clams

1924

First Mutual Fund

1926

First Liquid Fuel Rocket

1926

First Liquid Fuel Rocket

1928

First Computer Developed

1938

First Chocolate Chip Cookie

1945

First Microwave Oven

1946

First Modern Venture Capital Fund

1947

First Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment

1948

First Instant Camera

1950

First Dunkin' Donuts

1950

First Black NBA Player

1954

First Successful Organ Transplant

1958

First Black NHL Player

1987

First Woman to Serve as Lieutenant Governor

2004

First Global Social Networking Service

2004

First State to Legalize Marriage Equality

2020

First mRNA COVID Vaccines Developed