Press Release: 6/24/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration and Takeda Partner to Tell Massachusetts' Revolutionary Story

 

Original film series will highlight Massachusetts' past, present, and future as part of the Commonwealth's Semiquincentennial celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

6/23/2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Abigail Phillips, Director of Communications

 Phone

Call Abigail Phillips, Director of Communications at (857) 291-5647 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced its partnership with Takeda to support a series of original films and storytelling initiatives highlighting the people, places, institutions, and ideas that continue to shape Massachusetts. 

The partnership includes support for the Massachusetts 250 Signature July 4 Celebration, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, on Boston's Esplanade and the development of a new series of videos exploring Massachusetts' history, culture, innovation economy, and regional identities as part of the Commonwealth's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. 

As a global leader in biopharmaceutical innovation and Massachusetts’ largest life sciences employer, Takeda has stepped forward as a leading partner in commemorating the Commonwealth’s 250th anniversary, helping share stories that connect Massachusetts’ revolutionary past with the innovation and discovery shaping its future. 

One component of the partnership is a six-part regional film series highlighting each of Massachusetts' regions: Greater Boston, North of Boston, Central Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, the South Coast, and Cape Cod and the Islands. Narrated by singer-songwriter James Taylor, the films explore the history, culture, industries, landscapes, and communities that define each region and contribute to the broader Massachusetts story. The series was produced by The Castle Group and CTD Productions in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and Massachusetts 250. 

Together, the films demonstrate the diversity and dynamism of the Commonwealth while illustrating how each region contributes to Massachusetts' continued growth and success. 

The partnership also includes a companion video series spotlighting CEOs and organizations whose work underscores Massachusetts' continued leadership across industries – including science, healthcare, technology, arts, manufacturing, and research. Together, these voices highlight how Massachusetts-based institutions are advancing new ideas, addressing global challenges and reinforcing the state’s position as a hub of innovation, creativity, and discovery. Featured organizations include Bose, Boston Medical Center, MASS MoCA, Nanopath, New Balance, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 

“Massachusetts has always been a place where curiosity drives discovery and diverse perspectives fuel progress,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Our greatest asset is our people, whose talent, ingenuity, and revolutionary spirit continue to make the Commonwealth a global leader in solving big challenges and shaping what comes next.” 

"These films help tell a more complete story of Massachusetts," said Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. "They highlight the people, communities, and organizations that contribute to the Commonwealth's identity today while encouraging residents and visitors to engage with Massachusetts 250 programming across the state." 

“Real progress happens when organizations align around shared goals,” said Rhonda Pacheco, Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit President and U.S. Country Head. “From discovering transformative medicines, to shortening the diagnostic journey for patients, to creating greater access to nutritious food, partnership is how Takeda translates ambition into impact. And we’re proud to partner with MA250 to recognize Massachusetts organizations creating lasting impact for a healthier world." 

The films will be incorporated into Massachusetts 250 promotional efforts throughout 2026 and will be featured as part of the state's signature event, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on The Boston Esplanade. Selected films will be shown as part of the event program, connecting audiences with stories from communities across Massachusetts. 

The annual July 4 concert will begin at 7 p.m. and culminates with fireworks over the Charles River, starting at about 9:15 p.m. The entire event will be broadcast locally on WHDH-Channel 7 and streamed on CNN All Access. Portions of the event will be on CNN’s network broadcast of July 4/America 250 celebrations show co-anchored by Anderson Cooper and Pamela Brown. 

For more information about Massachusetts 250, including upcoming events, commemorative initiatives, and the regional storytelling video series, visit Massachusetts250.org. 

About Massachusetts 250

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) commemorates Massachusetts’ role in the American Revolution with the Massachusetts 250 campaign, celebrating 250 years of the country’s independence and the state’s revolutionary spirit. The statewide campaign highlights often-told stories like Paul Revere’s ride while uplifting underrepresented voices and unveiling untold stories with hundreds of events presented across the Bay State. For more information, please visit massachusetts250.org and follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. 

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Massachusetts is made for nights on the town, days on the trails, and everything in between. The mission of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is to promote Massachusetts as a four-season leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international travelers and contribute to the state’s economic growth. MOTT offers assistance with itinerary planning, familiarization trips, images, and photographs and offers support in providing information to the travel trade, press, and media. To plan your trip to Massachusetts, please go to VisitMA.com. 

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit takeda.com. 

The Boston Pops July 4 Fireworks Spectacular

Since 1929, the Boston Symphony’s Pops orchestra has performed its free Independence Day concert on the Esplanade, a beloved Boston tradition first conceived by Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler and carried on by John Williams and, since 1995, Keith Lockhart. A fireworks display became part of the tradition in 1974 when the late David Mugar became the event’s producer, which he remained until 2016. In 2017, the Pops opened a new page in the BSO’s history, presenting its first self-produced Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Read more about the event’s history.

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