New England Timeline | January & February

January 1 1904. L Street Brownies take their first plunge into the frigid waters of South Boston’s Dorchester Bay, beginning a tradition that still continues. January 3 1920. Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. January 5 1643. First divorce granted in the American Colonies. January 6 1994. Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan of Stoneham, Massachusetts, is attacked by a club-wielding assailant at a practice session for the Olympic trials. January 14 The Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine, honor National Pie Day by opening their doors and serving traditional cherry, apple, and berry pies as well as more unique treats such as kiwi-berry tarts or sun-dried tomato and goat cheese breakfast pie. Also Jan. 21. 877-762-4667; historicinnsofrockland.com

January 15 1919. In Boston’s North End, molasses lets loose from a five-story tank, killing 21 people. The event goes down in history as the Great Molasses Flood. February 2 Winter residents of Block Island, Rhode Island, converge on the Albion Pub to have their official head count estimated. February 4 1870. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is incorporated. February 6 1978. A major blizzard hits New England, dumping 2 to 4 feet of snow across the region in 32 hours and leaving snowdrifts 15 feet high. Fifty-four deaths are reported. February 10 In 1976, the once-fledgling band’s dream of hitting it big takes another step toward coming true when “Dream On,” from Aerosmith’s debut album, is rereleased as a single and reaches number 6 on the charts. February 12 1909. Massachusetts native W.E.B. Du Bois founds the NAACP. February 21 1858. E.T. Holmes of Boston installs the first burglar alarm.