50 Years Ago

■Northampton celebrated the start of the Bicentennial with a ceremony in Pulaski Park. Ardent bands of patriots gathered in the rain Saturday to hear the news — now 200 years old — of battles at Lexington and Concord and to proclaim the Revolution.

■D.A. Sullivan & Sons have been awarded a $628,000 contract to construct the new Northampton Post Office, it was announced today. Initial clearing has already begun on the site, which is the former location of the Norwood Apartments on Bridge Street.

25 Years Ago

■A group of merchants plans to bring entertainers to the Main Street block between Masonic Street and Crackerbarrel Alley to increase commerce while enhancing sidewalk ambiance. Nine of the twelve businesses on the block have agreed to help pay for the cost of the entertainment.

■House Majority Leader William P. Nagle Jr. said today he was not aware of a reported late night carnival atmosphere in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber during an all-night budget session one week ago. Dubbed “the animal house” by one ranking legislator, members reportedly were drinking heavily and dozing off while working through spending amendments.

10 Years Ago

■Thousands of people showed up on the Amherst Town Common Saturday for Extravaganja, the 24th annual pro-marijuana rally, and enjoyed an afternoon of music, food and speakers with no disruptive incidents. However, Police Chief Scott Livingstone said this is the last time he will approve the rally due to the increasing numbers of people who turn out for it.