09.12.2023

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37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

Help ‘seal the deal’ in Massachusetts history

Massachusetts officials seek input for new state seal and motto

The Massachusetts State House beneath cloudy blues skies. A flag bearing the state seal flies to the right of the building.

A flag bearing the current state seal flies high outside of the State House.
| Photo by @babyboomer1611

What does the phrase “ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” mean to you? If you never studied Latin, it probably doesn’t mean much — which is partially why Massachusetts officials are looking to adopt a new state motto and seal.

Both the motto — which loosely translates to “By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty” — and the state seal are currently up for a remodel. State leaders have shared an online survey to learn more about which imagery, values, and beliefs will adequately represent + unite residents.

The survey will gauge participants’ feelings about a variety of themes and phrasing, including which state plants and animals to portray in the seal (if any), and which words and languages to consider for the new motto.

BOStoday_StateHouseStainedGlassSeal_Credittinyocean_rving.jpeg — The seal appears on imagery throughout the State House, including the center of this stained glass window.
|
Photo by @tinyocean_rving

While you ponder what you’d like to see — perhaps a right whale or black-capped chickadee — learn some quick context about the current editions.

The state seal
The current seal displays a crest and a Native man holding a bow and arrow, which points downward to signify peace. A star to his left designates Massachusetts as one of the original 13 states. An arm holding a sword hovers above him as a nod to the American Revolution, while a blue ribbon bearing the state motto surrounds the crest.

The state motto
These words stem from the English solider-statesman Algernon Sidney, who was executed for treason after opposing King Charles II. Massachusetts leaders first selected his words for a temporary state seal in 1775, and they’ve been displayed throughout state imagery ever since.

The current Massachusetts state seal.
|
From the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Take the survey

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Tuesday Tastings | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Alileo Vino e Snak Bar, 70 Pier 4 Blvd., Ste. 100, Boston | Free to attend | Visit the Superette pop-up for samples of natural wines and snacks.
Tove Lo | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 7 p.m. | Roadrunner, 89 Guest St., Boston | $42 | Catch this sultry Swedish alt-popstar on her “Dirt Femme” tour.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Guided Bird Tour | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 7:30-9 a.m. | Community Boating, Inc., 21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston | Free | Bring your binoculars for this guided one-mile walk along the Esplanade to see a variety of species, from songbirds to waterfowl.
Eagles | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Watch The Eagles take their final flight in Boston on this farewell tour.

Thursday, Sept. 14

Lounge Thursdays | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 6-7 p.m. | GBH Studios, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston | Free | Come show off your 90s style and win a GBH T-shirt at this throwback 90s event with Boston’s own DJ Slick Vick.
Local Author Book Fair | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Hummingbird Books, 55 Boylston St., Ste. 5510, Chestnut Hill | Free | Celebrate Boston’s talent and hear more about the stories created within our community at the second annual local author book fair.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

“You, Me, We” at Boston Children’s Museum

Try This: “You, Me, We” at Boston Children’s Museum

Presented by a BOStoday Partner

The You, Me, We entrance at the Boston Childrens Museum.

Step inside this colorful new addition to learn about our unique families and communities | Photo by BOStoday

Where can you learn about science, imagine dinosaurs in space, and explore ways to strengthen our communities together? Boston Children’s Museum in the Seaport. Everyone can learn something new and unleash their inner kiddo across the three-story museum with rotating exhibitions, educational programs + an Art and STEAM Lab. This hands-on, interactive space is perfect for any day, and Bostonians of all ages.

What we tried:

The whole family can explore and enjoy the Museum’s latest exhibition, “You, Me, We.” Now open, this colorful celebration of the diversity in our communities shines a light on the unique characters in every family and community. From the “Grab a Plate” area, where local chefs, families, and produce are the stars, to the self-portrait area, where everyone is invited to create a masterpiece, this safe space helps broach topics about the world around us.

What not to miss

News Notes

Development

The BPDA and Boston Transportation Department have launched the Fenway Transportation Action Plan, an initiative that will plot new designs for areas like Kenmore Square + Brookline Avenue. Residents can voice their opinions at “Chat with a Planner” events throughout September.

Health

The USDA has awarded clearance to Zeta Surgical for a “robotic surgery” system. This approval allows the Boston-based company to move forward with their Zeta Cranial Navigation System, which aims to “accurately guide” surgeons during operations. (Boston Business Journal)

Sports

Enjoy half-priced wings at Scores Sports Bar when the Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, Sept. 17. During halftime, fans can grab a raffle ticket for the chance to win an autographed Deion Branch jersey.

Feel Good

Captain America chose Cape Cod for his happily-ever-after. In a super-private ceremony, Marvel star — and Sudbury native — Chris Evans married Portuguese actress Alba Baptista on the Cape. (Boston.com)

Plan Ahead

Out with the cranberry sauce, in with the Christmas carols. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has announced a “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” performance at the DCU Center in Worcester, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 25 — two days after Thanksgiving. Tickets are on sale now.

History

Despite renovations to 5 John F. Kennedy St., the decades-old “Dewey, Cheetham & Howe” sign remains in the window of the Harvard Square building. The riff on law firm names originates from “The Three Stooges,” which radio show “Car Talk” borrowed when creating this visual pun. (The Boston Globe)

Festival

A new hip-hop fest is headed to the Seaport

Commonwealth Fest brings Cousin Stizz to the Seaport

A photo of Boston's Seaport district in the evening, with lights illuminating buildings and skyscrapers

The festival will take place at an open-air area in Boston’s Seaport district. | Photo by WS

If you’re lagging in local music knowledge, Commonwealth Fest can catch you up in a day. The new 18+ hip-hop festival will make its debut this Saturday, Sept. 16 in the Seaport, following a shift from its original location at Medfield’s Bellforge Arts Center.

Commonwealth Fest will host a robust roster of national + local artists between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. outdoors at 65 Northern Ave. The selection of Boston-area acts comes straight from the source; Dorchester-raised rapper Cousin Stizz curated the festival lineup himself, tapping rising artists such as Michael Christmas, Jiles, and kei + DJ mainstays like SuperSmashBroz to bring their best beats.

After sets from national acts Buddy, Kenny Mason, and Tony Shhnow, Commonwealth Fest will culminate with a hard-earned headlining set from Stizz himself.

Pro tip: Tickets will not be available the day of the festival, so snag a pass now for $45.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Victoria

If Harvard Square has to keep evolving, I’m glad to see a sly piece of art like the “Dewey, Cheetham & Howe” sign stick around.

The good news almost takes the sting out of losing Schoenhof’s Foreign Books a few years ago, where Spanish professors used to send me to purchase antiquated classic novels. Tell me what you love (or miss) most about the area, so we can bond over disheveled bookstores and the power of a good pun.

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