Boston history is intertwined with the history of colonial America and the fight for independence. Throughout your trip you are bound to encounter information about the history of Boston, as many of the best attractions and sightseeing opportunities are centered on the history of the city from the seventeenth century through the present. If you’re interested in learning more facts about Boston, there are historical tours to serve as a great introduction to the city. Historic buildings such as the eighteenth-century Old State House and Faneuil Hall are sure to provide a great foundation of curiosity about the history of the city, and local residents are proud of the significant role Boston played in America’s formative years.

The arrival of European settlers in the seventeenth century was the beginning of Boston history as we know the city today. Geographic qualities guaranteed Boston to have a prominent role for the settlers. The harbor was deep, and the city's three hills were considered advantageous positions for the new inhabitants. One of the most famous periods in the history of Boston is the American Revolution. During the 1770s, residents of New England were outraged at proposals for taxation from Great Britain. Famous moments in history resulted, including the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party, which occurred in 1773. Several battles in the American Revolution took place nearby as well.

Visitors can learn plenty of interesting facts about Boston while discovering the city's colorful colonial and revolutionary past. Learn about Paul Revere’s midnight rides, take a stroll along the Freedom Trail, or step aboard the USS Constitution to gain a further understanding of the significant role Boston played in shaping modern America. After the revolutionary period, Boston history was strongly influenced by the success of the port. The port quickly became one of the world’s wealthiest international ports, exporting a variety of products. Wealthy families ruled the city, but in the 1840s, another shift in the history of Boston would occur—new waves of immigration.

Boston Map

New immigrant populations included large numbers of Irish and Italians. This cultural landscape can continue to be seen in Boston today, in the Italian restaurants of the North End and the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Irish potato famine in the middle of the nineteenth century brought even more Irish immigrants to the shores of Boston, and the city gained a strong Roman Catholic association. The following years saw great developments in culture, literature, and the architecture and design of Boston.

While Boston Tea Party facts may be some of the best-known information about the city, there is much more to learn on your visit. Walking tours or trolley tours are a good place to start, and museums showcase the city’s taste for culture. If you’re looking for history with an entertaining twist, book a ticket for a baseball game at Fenway Park. This historic monument still makes for a lively afternoon for the whole family. During your trip, you are sure to discover that some of the most interesting facts about Boston are entwined with the Revolutionary period, and learning about the sacrifices the American forefathers made to sculpt the idea of a better nation is a great foundation on which to plan a fascinating trip.