Boston, MA

History –
    Because of the roles that Boston played during the early years of American history, it is often referred to as the “cradle of American History.”  The city played a major role during the American Revolutionary War.  The Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party both occurred within the city, whereas the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill both took place just outside the city limits.  Paul Revere made his famous ride that night from Boston to let the colonists know that the British were coming.  After the War, Boston became one of the World’s wealthiest international trading ports, and during the mid-1800’s became the largest manufacturing center in the United States.  In 1831, the city was established as the center of the abolitionist movement after William Lloyd Garrison founded “The Liberator,” an abolitionist newsletter.  In 1872, the city was destroyed by fire.  Eleven years later the first vaudeville theater opened in Boston.  In 1897, Boston became the first city to have an underground subway in North America.  
    The early 1900’s were bad for Boston.  The Boston Molasses Disaster killed 21 people after hot molasses spilled onto the streets.  In 1927, after a seven year trial, the Sacco and Vanzetti trial came to an end and saw the two executed.  The trial result sparked riots in London, Paris and Germany.  In 1942, the deadliest nightclub fire on record occurred at Boston’s Cocoanut Grove speakeasy.  The fire killed 492 people.  Between 1962 and 1964, the Boston Strangler murdered 13 women.  By the 1950’s, Boston saw a dramatic decline in business in the city.  After years of economic downturn, Boston implemented several urban renewal policies that saw the creation of several new hospitals and government centers.  Boston is again growing as it was in its early years.  

Local Attractions –
    As the oldest house in downtown Boston, Paul Reveres House has become a major tourist attraction for those that wish to see a piece of American History.  After Revere sold the house in 1800, it was used as an apartment building, a cigar factory, a candy store and a grocery store.  The building was to be destroyed in 1902, but was bought by Reveres grandson who restored the house to the condition it was originally in.  When the house opened as an attraction in 1908, it was one of the first historic house museums in existence.  
    New York City has Central Park, Boston has Boston Common.  The Common consists of two parks, each having its own distinct characteristics.  One park, Boston Common, has been around since 1634, and was used for military purposes and public hangings at first, but is not used for recreational purposes.  The second park, the Public Garden, has been around since 1839, and is the home of flower beds and paths laid out in an old French style.  In 1861 the Boston Common added the English Pond, and 16 years later added the Swan Boats that have become famous for allowing visitors to ride around the lake.  
    For with further interest in historical sites from the American Revolution, Faneuil Hall offers a great place to visit.  The Hall built in 1740 played host to the secret meetings of Samuel Adams and others as they began to protest England’s “taxation without representation” policy.  The Hall continued to be used as a meeting hall well into the 1900’s and was expanded several times to meet growing needs.  During the 1970’s, the Hall was saved from demolition, refurbished and the turned into the center piece of a modern urban marketplace.  

Sports –
    The city of Boston is home to three major professional sports franchises:  the Boston Red Sox (MLB), the Boston Celtics (NBA) and the Boston Bruins (NHL).  Even though the city does not have a large number of professional teams, they have acquired a large number of World Championships from their home teams.  A total of 27 World Championships have been won by Boston’s home teams; six by the Red Sox, five by the Bruins, and 16 by the Celtics.  
    Boston is also home to some 60 colleges, many of which have gained a lot of success in the college sports world.  Boston College’s men’s and women’s hockey teams each compete for a National Championship each year.  BC’s men’s basketball team has also found many successes in recent years, finishing in the Top 25 consistently.  The football team at Boston College became bowl eligible at the end of the 2004 season.

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