Fifty years ago this month, many Burlington parents apparently bristled at the idea of busing students from Boston to Burlington via the METCO program, which began in 1966 as an effort to:
- Boost educational opportunity.
- Foster diversity in the ‘burbs.
Fifty years later, one could argue that Burlington has definitely achieved the second part of the mission without help from METCO. The high school yearbooks, available on BurlingtonRetro, tell the story in pictures. Scroll down to the most recent yearbooks and look at the names and faces.
Fifty-seven languages are spoken in Burlington schools, according to school officials. This is now a cosmopolitan town. “Burlington’s diversity is a strength,” says Superintendent Eric Conti. “It allows students to experience the global community they will navigate as adults.”
So which towns do participate in METCO? Here’s the latest snapshot on METCO website.
Also unpopular 50 years ago was the notion of hosting a nationwide parade.
A slide show about UFOs — with sound effects! 
This isn’t related to Burlington, but many will remember this odd moment in sports, and there’s a YouTube video of this very match in Lowell, 50 years ago this month. Roller Derby has existed for almost a century, and it’s usually a serious sport. But 50 years ago, it was going through a kitschy period. It was a scripted and choreographed pseudo-sport, basically “professional wrestling” on wheels.
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