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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Massachusetts is turning 250: When and where to celebrate Patriots' Day for free
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Much of Massachusetts received snow on Saturday, but Ashburnham (which got eight inches of snow in total) was the "lucky" winner of this April surprise storm.
Now, to the news:
Kicking off 250: Massachusetts' semiquincentennial celebration is really getting underway this week. Cities and towns across Greater Boston will commemorate their roles in the Revolutionary War with reenactments, vigils and family-friendly fun. While there are lots of events to choose from in this list released by Gov. Maura Healey's office last week, here's where you can mark the occasion for free:
- Thursday, April 17: There will be music, poetry and a lantern vigil in honor of the soldiers that lost their lives during the Battles of Lexington and Concord from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Concord's North Bridge. Don't forget to bring your own candlelit lantern to participate in the procession.
- Friday, April 18: Get ready to mark the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's midnight ride. During a 7 p.m. service, Old North Church will signal "two if by sea" from the lantern in its steeple (as it did on the night of Revere's ride) and Boston College professor Heather Cox Richardson will deliver a keynote address. For the full experience, head next to Lexington's Hancock-Clarke House for a live reenactment of Revere's legendary ride starting at 10 p.m., complete with real horses.
- Saturday, April 19: It's the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. There will be battle reenactments at dawn at Concord's North Bridge and the Lexington Green, both located in Minuteman National Park. After the reenactments, there's going to be a block party in Concord and a parade in Lexington.
- Sunday, April 20: At 2 p.m. the Menotomy Minutemen will march along Mass. Ave in Arlington to reenact Battle of Menotomy, which actually happened on April 19, 1775. Former President John Adams used the battle as proof to Continental Congress that the colonies were at war.
- Monday, April 21: This officially marks Patriots' Day and Marathon Monday. To commemorate the "shot heard 'round the world," you can take a four-mile ranger-led hike along the Battle Road trail at Minuteman National Park, bring the kids for a historical scavenger hunt in Lexington or check out the Patriots' Day Parade beginning at 9 a.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza.
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What's happening at Harvard: Students and faculty at Harvard University are pushing back against the Trump administration's attempts to disrupt student life and classes. On Friday, two groups representing Harvard professors filed a lawsuit to stop the administration's review of $9 billion in federal funding, which was ordered a week ago and included a list of demands that must be met in order to receive continued funding. According to the lawsuit, the fed's requirements are unlawful and part of an effort to "chill universities" from discussing issues like DEI.
- In an email sent to Harvard Kennedy School affiliates on Friday, Dean Jeremy Weinstein said he was "deeply concerned" by the continued revocation of student visas (12 Harvard students have had their visas revoked as of last week). HKS reportedly has the most international makeup of any of Harvard's schools.
- Speaking out: On Saturday, hundreds of Harvard students and faculty gathered on Cambridge Common to protest the administration's actions toward international students. Professor Kirsten Weld spoke about the students who have already had their visas revoked, adding, "the rest are terrified that they will be next."
Coming up: Another visit from the Department of Justice is on the books. Two department officials — including a veteran civil rights prosecutor — visited Boston earlier this month to talk with city leaders about alleged antisemitism and discrimination in schools, WBUR's Simón Rios reports. The next longer meeting is planned at Boston City Hall for next week on April 23. (The original visit only lasted about 15 minutes, according to Jeremy Burton, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston.)
- Simón said it's still unclear to Boston leaders what specific incidents of antisemitism are being investigated. The DOJ has not responded to WBUR's questions about the inquiry.
Calling all K-8 students in Boston, Winthrop, Quincy and Lynn: The MBTA needs your help naming three of its ferries. Students can submit their best boat names through May 9 for a chance to dub a ferry that will serve either Quincy, Winthrop or Lynn starting this summer.
- Fun fact: While Boston is known for having North America’s oldest subway, the city’s first form of public transportation was actually the Charlestown Ferry in the 1600s.
P.S. — Despite the recent cold spell, spring flowers are beginning to bloom in Boston this week. Here's where to go to see the most stunning floral displays, from daffodils and tulips to lilacs and roses.
