The History of Boston
Perhaps more so than any other state, Massachusetts has experienced some of America's most defining history, from early settlement through to industry and science.
At the heart of the leafy state sits Boston, one of the country's most cultural and historically significant cities, and a superb place to explore firsthand.
New England's past is routed in Boston and as one of the oldest cities in America, Boston has seen its fair share of history.
When English Puritan colonists arrived in Boston in 1625, it was named Trimountaine, as it had been since early settlers first landed there.
The Puritans set about establishing a very well organised and stable society; rich in everything and determined to see the Trimountaine peninsula thrive.
As well as opening America's first public school in 1635, The Boston Latin School, the settlers quickly began to redevelop the harbour space into what is now central Boston.
The naturally deep harbour was perfect for fishing and shipping, and the new residents soon needed more space, so they levelled two of the three hills that once surrounded the peninsula, giving it its original name.
They left Beacon Hill, which is today one of the city's most exclusive and prized districts to live in.
By 1630, Trimountaine was renamed Boston, after Boston, Lincolnshire, England, where many of the original settlers had once come from, and likewise the neighbouring settlement of Shawmut also changed its named to Boston.
Thanks to Boston's 'city upon a hill' setting, the community had a strong religious ethic, which manifested itself through every facet of society, from enforced early marriage and daily church attendance, to strict religious education.
These disciplined studies soon lead to the opening of the first college in the United States of America, Harvard College, in 1636.
The first great fire of Boston hit in 1760 and was said to have destroyed up to 350 buildings.
However, the redevelopment of the city after the fire brought with it new prosperous opportunities, and Boston became one of the wealthiest trading ports in the world, and registered as a city in 1822.
The city's network of rivers which surrounded it and flow into the peninsula made it ideal for shipping, but manufacturing soon took over and the inland rivers provided ample transportation for vast industrial districts to thrive.
After the Irish potato famine of 1845-49, many Irish people emigrated to Boston, and soon largely took control of the city.
Even today, the influence of Irish settlers on the city is everywhere, and is much celebrated.
Boston continued to flourish both culturally and academically and today is perhaps the world's leading city for scientific, medical and technological research, thanks largely to the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.
One of the best ways to see all of the city's many historical attractions is on a multi-stop cart tour though, which most Boston hotels will be able to book for visitors.
At the heart of the leafy state sits Boston, one of the country's most cultural and historically significant cities, and a superb place to explore firsthand.
New England's past is routed in Boston and as one of the oldest cities in America, Boston has seen its fair share of history.
When English Puritan colonists arrived in Boston in 1625, it was named Trimountaine, as it had been since early settlers first landed there.
The Puritans set about establishing a very well organised and stable society; rich in everything and determined to see the Trimountaine peninsula thrive.
As well as opening America's first public school in 1635, The Boston Latin School, the settlers quickly began to redevelop the harbour space into what is now central Boston.
The naturally deep harbour was perfect for fishing and shipping, and the new residents soon needed more space, so they levelled two of the three hills that once surrounded the peninsula, giving it its original name.
They left Beacon Hill, which is today one of the city's most exclusive and prized districts to live in.
By 1630, Trimountaine was renamed Boston, after Boston, Lincolnshire, England, where many of the original settlers had once come from, and likewise the neighbouring settlement of Shawmut also changed its named to Boston.
Thanks to Boston's 'city upon a hill' setting, the community had a strong religious ethic, which manifested itself through every facet of society, from enforced early marriage and daily church attendance, to strict religious education.
These disciplined studies soon lead to the opening of the first college in the United States of America, Harvard College, in 1636.
The first great fire of Boston hit in 1760 and was said to have destroyed up to 350 buildings.
However, the redevelopment of the city after the fire brought with it new prosperous opportunities, and Boston became one of the wealthiest trading ports in the world, and registered as a city in 1822.
The city's network of rivers which surrounded it and flow into the peninsula made it ideal for shipping, but manufacturing soon took over and the inland rivers provided ample transportation for vast industrial districts to thrive.
After the Irish potato famine of 1845-49, many Irish people emigrated to Boston, and soon largely took control of the city.
Even today, the influence of Irish settlers on the city is everywhere, and is much celebrated.
Boston continued to flourish both culturally and academically and today is perhaps the world's leading city for scientific, medical and technological research, thanks largely to the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.
One of the best ways to see all of the city's many historical attractions is on a multi-stop cart tour though, which most Boston hotels will be able to book for visitors.