On Sunday morning, February 4, 1787, in this town, Daniel Shays and one hundred and fifty of his followers, in rebellion against the Commonwealth, were surprised and routed by General Benjamin Lincoln, commanding the Army of Massachusetts after a night march of thirty miles from Hadley through snow and below-zero cold. This victory for the forces of government influenced the Philadelphia Convention, which met three months later and formed the Constitution of the United States.

Photo: Stephen St. Denis

Petersham, Massachusetts · USA