Martha's Vineyard, a popular and affluent summer colony, is an island located south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. As the 58th largest island in the US and the third largest on the East Coast, it spans approximately 96 square miles. The island encompasses most of Dukes County, including Chappaquiddick Island, the Elizabeth Islands, and Nomans Land.
1927: Heath Hen Population Plummets
By 1927, the population of heath hens, a subspecies of the greater prairie chicken once common in the Northeastern United States, had dwindled to a mere 13 birds on Martha's Vineyard, despite conservation efforts.
1932: Extinction of the Heath Hen
The last known heath hen, named "Booming Ben," died on Martha's Vineyard in 1932, marking the extinction of this subspecies. The event highlighted the vulnerability of isolated populations to environmental changes and human activities.
1941: Military Training Begins on Martha's Vineyard
At the onset of World War II, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force began using Martha's Vineyard for military training exercises. The island's diverse terrain provided a suitable environment for various drills, from beach landings to bombing practice.
1945: End of Military Training on Martha's Vineyard
With the conclusion of World War II, the U.S. military ceased its training activities on Martha's Vineyard in 1945, marking the end of a chapter in which the island played a role in national defense preparations.
August 27, 1948: Highest Temperature Recorded
The highest daily maximum temperature on Martha's Vineyard reached a record-breaking 99 °F (37.2 °C) on August 27, 1948.
1952: Passing of Katie West, Last Native Speaker of MVSL
The death of Katie West in 1952 marked the loss of the last deaf person born into the unique sign language tradition of Martha's Vineyard, known as Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL). Her passing symbolized the decline of this once-vibrant language, which had flourished within the island's deaf community.
1961: Lowest Minimum Temperature Recorded
The lowest daily minimum temperature ever recorded on Martha's Vineyard plummeted to −9 °F (−22.8 °C) on February 2 and 3, 1961.
1963: William Labov's Groundbreaking Linguistics Study
In 1963, linguist William Labov completed his master's thesis, a pioneering study on linguistic variations in the dialect spoken on Martha's Vineyard. His work, considered a cornerstone of sociolinguistics, examined the relationship between language, social class, and identity.
July 18, 1969: "Chappaquiddick Incident"
The "Chappaquiddick incident" on July 18, 1969, involving the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in a car accident with Senator Ted Kennedy, brought international attention to Martha's Vineyard. The incident, which occurred on Chappaquiddick Island, a smaller island connected to Martha's Vineyard, raised questions about Kennedy's actions and had long-lasting political and social repercussions.
November 23, 1970: Simas Kudirka's Defection Attempt
On November 23, 1970, Simas Kudirka, a Lithuanian seaman aboard a Soviet fishing trawler, attempted to defect to the United States near Martha's Vineyard. He jumped onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter seeking asylum but was forcibly returned to the Soviet vessel. The incident sparked international controversy and highlighted Cold War tensions.
1974: "Jaws" Filmed on Martha's Vineyard
Steven Spielberg's iconic thriller "Jaws" was filmed on Martha's Vineyard in 1974, utilizing locations like Menemsha fishing village and Chilmark town. The film featured local residents as extras and left a lasting impact on the island's cultural identity.
1977: Martha's Vineyard Contemplates Secession
In 1977, in response to losing their guaranteed seat in the Massachusetts General Court, residents of Martha's Vineyard explored the possibility of seceding from Massachusetts. While ultimately unsuccessful, the secession movement garnered attention and reflected the island's distinct identity.
December 26, 1980: Lowest Maximum Temperature Recorded
Martha's Vineyard experienced its lowest daily maximum temperature on December 26, 1980, which only reached 7 °F (−13.9 °C).
March 5, 1982: Death of John Belushi
Actor and comedian John Belushi died on March 5, 1982, and was laid to rest in Abel's Hill Cemetery in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard. A frequent visitor, Belushi's burial on the island solidified its connection to his legacy.
1985: Martha's Vineyard AVA Established
In 1985, Martha's Vineyard and Chappaquiddick Island were officially designated as the Martha's Vineyard American Viticultural Area (AVA). This allows wines made from grapes cultivated on these islands to use the prestigious Martha's Vineyard AVA designation on their labels.
1994: "The Inkwell" Film Released
The film "The Inkwell," directed by Matty Rich, premiered in 1994, shining a light on the experiences of the close-knit African-American community in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard.
1994: Death of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady and mother of John F. Kennedy Jr., passed away in 1994. She had maintained a residence in Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard, further solidifying the Kennedy family's connection to the island.
1995: Alfred Eisenstaedt Passes Away
Alfred Eisenstaedt, a renowned photographer for Life magazine and a 50-year summer resident of Martha's Vineyard, passed away in 1995.
1998: Founding of the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard
The African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of African Americans on the island, was established in 1998.
July 16, 1999: John F. Kennedy Jr. Plane Crash
Tragedy struck on July 16, 1999, when John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette, and her sister Lauren Bessette died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. The incident resonated deeply with the island community and the nation, evoking a sense of loss and reminding many of the Kennedy family's connection to the region.
2000: Tularemia Outbreak
In the summer of 2000, Martha's Vineyard experienced an outbreak of tularemia, or rabbit fever, leading to one fatality. The outbreak drew the attention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which investigated the island as a potential site for studying the aerosolized transmission of the disease.
June 2005: 30th Anniversary of "Jaws"
Martha's Vineyard celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Jaws" with a weekend-long festival in June 2005. The event, dubbed "Jawsfest," commemorated the film's production on the island and its enduring legacy.
2006: Geraldine Brooks Becomes a Resident
Australian author Geraldine Brooks, known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "March", moved to Martha's Vineyard in 2006 with her husband, Tony Horwitz, also a Pulitzer Prize winner and novelist, and their two sons.
2007: Robert Harris' Novel "The Ghost" Set on Martha's Vineyard
Author Robert Harris chose Martha's Vineyard as the setting for his 2007 political thriller novel, "The Ghost." The book's publication brought literary attention to the island, further solidifying its presence in popular culture.
August 10, 2008: Chicama Vineyards Closes
After 37 years of operation, Chicama Vineyards in West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, closed its doors on August 10, 2008.
September 4, 2010: Highest Minimum Temperature Recorded
On September 4, 2010, Martha's Vineyard experienced its highest daily minimum temperature, reaching 76 °F (24.4 °C).
2010: Population Count on Martha's Vineyard
In 2010, the year-round population of Martha's Vineyard was recorded as 16,460, according to a report by the Martha's Vineyard Commission. This data point serves as a benchmark to track the island's population growth over time.
August 2014: Obama and Clinton Visit
In August 2014, both President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had planned visits to Martha's Vineyard, leading to increased security measures and traffic congestion on the island.
December 2019: Barack Obama Purchases Property on Martha's Vineyard
In December 2019, former President Barack Obama purchased a 30-acre estate on Martha's Vineyard, further solidifying the island's appeal as a retreat for high-profile figures. Obama's property acquisition highlighted the island's desirability as a place of tranquility and natural beauty.
October 15, 2020: Edgartown Harbor Designated as Underground Railroad Site
Edgartown Harbor received recognition as an Underground Railroad Site by the National Park Service on October 15, 2020. The designation, following a submission by the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard, acknowledges the island's historical role in providing refuge and assistance to enslaved people seeking freedom.
September 2022: Venezuelan Migrants Flown to Martha's Vineyard
In September 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis orchestrated the transportation of two planeloads of Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard. The move, intended to highlight immigration policy debates, sparked controversy and drew attention to the island's role in national political discourse.
2023: Report on Martha's Vineyard Population Growth
A 2023 report by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission revealed that the island's year-round population had significantly increased to 20,530, compared to 16,460 in 2010. This growth reflects a trend of increasing popularity and development on the island.