Massachussetts By facebooker_29909243 Period: Jan 1, 1620 to May 20, 1990 Timeline of Massachusetts History Dec 21, 1620 Pilgrams arrived at Plymouth The exact date of arrival to Plymouth is questionable during the year of 1620. Sep 7, 1630 Boston was founded Sep 8, 1636 Harvard, the first college in the American Colonies, was founded. Aug 16, 1676 Colonists defeated Wampanoag's during King Philip's War Dec 16, 1773 Colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party Mar 4, 1824 John Quincy Adams was elected sixth President of the United States of America Sep 1, 1939 World War II begins Jan 1, 1988 Massachusetts celebrated it's 200th year being an official state