On This Day

Massachusetts Bay Colony forms its first government

The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around Massachusetts Bay, one of the several...

The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around Massachusetts Bay, one of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in southern New England, with initial settlements on two natural harbors and surrounding land about 15.4 miles (24.8 km) apart—the areas around Salem and Boston, north of the previously established Plymouth Colony.

Historical Significance

The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around Massachusetts Bay, one of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

Events Before

  1. Galileo Galilei's book "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" is published comparing the Copernican and Ptole

    Galileo Galilei's book "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" is published comparing the Copernican and Ptolemaic systems and whether the Earth orbits the sun

  2. Treaty of Saint-Germain is signed, returns Quebec to French control after the English seized it in 1629

    Treaty of Saint-Germain is signed, returns Quebec to French control after the English seized it in 1629

  3. Battle of Rain: Swedish forces under Gustavus Adolphus defeat Count Tilly of the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Yea

    Battle of Rain: Swedish forces under Gustavus Adolphus defeat Count Tilly of the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War

  4. Britain grants Lord Baltimore rights to Chesapeake Bay area

    Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore (8 August 1605 – 30 November 1675) was an English politician and lawyer who was the first proprietor of Maryland.

  5. Mughal army begins a siege of the Portuguese trading port of Hooghly, ordered by Shah Jahan to check piracy and the slav

    Mughal army begins a siege of the Portuguese trading port of Hooghly, ordered by Shah Jahan to check piracy and the slave trade (captured three months later)

Events After

  1. Burchardi flood, known as the second "Grote Mandrenke," kills about 15,000 in North Friesland, Denmark, and Germany

    Burchardi flood, known as the second "Grote Mandrenke," kills about 15,000 in North Friesland, Denmark, and Germany

  2. Puritan author William Prynne tried in Star Chamber for publishing "Histrio-masti", criticising the theatre

    Puritan author William Prynne tried in Star Chamber for publishing "Histrio-masti", criticising the theatre

  3. Battle of Smolensk: King Wladyslaw IV of Poland beats Russians [NS=Mar 1]

    Battle of Smolensk: King Wladyslaw IV of Poland beats Russians [NS=Mar 1]

  4. Irish captain Walter Devereaux kills Duke Wallenstein

    Irish captain Walter Devereaux kills Duke Wallenstein

  5. Battle at Smolensk: Polish King Wladyslaw IV beats Russians

    Battle at Smolensk: Polish King Wladyslaw IV beats Russians

More from the 1630s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 8, 1633?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around Massachusetts Bay, one of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in southern New England, with initial settlements on two natural harbors and surrounding land about 15.4 miles (24.8 km) apart—the areas around Salem and Boston, north of the previously established Plymouth Colony.
Why is Massachusetts Bay Colony forms its first government significant?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around Massachusetts Bay, one of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

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