Boston, officially the City of Boston, is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States and 24th-most populous city in the country. The city proper covers 48.4 square miles with a population of 675,647 in 2020, also making it the most populous city in New England.

Who founded Boston and when?

Boston was founded in 1630 by English Puritans fleeing religious persecution. On 29 March 1630, a fleet of 11 ships carrying 700 people sailed from England to Massachusetts. They were led by John Winthrop (1588-1649). At first, the people settled at Charlestown, which had been founded the year before.

When was Boston founded?

Henry VIII granted the town its charter in 1545 and Boston had two Members of Parliament from 1552.

What was Boston called before Boston?

Originally called Tremontaine for the three hills in the area, the Puritans later changed the settlement's name to Boston, after the town in Lincolnshire, England, from which many Puritans originated.

Is Boston or NYC older?

Boston is the oldest with 35.7% of its residences built before 1940. ... New York is the nation's fourth oldest metropolitan area, with 28.9% of its dwellings having been built before 1940.

A Short History of Boston

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Is Boston or Philadelphia older?

Boston is older than Philadelphia.

Its foundation was in 1630 by the Puritans from Great Britain. Boston is one of the oldest metropolitan cities, with almost 35.7% of its residences founded before 1940. ... Philadelphia is also home to many historical sites.

Who was Boston named after?

Governor Winthrop announced the foundation of the town of Boston on September 7, 1630 (Old Style), with the place named after the town of Boston, in the English county of Lincolnshire, from which several prominent colonists emigrated. The name also derives from Saint Botolph, who is the patron saint of travelers.

Is Boston the oldest city in America?

Founded back in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England, Boston is one of America's oldest cities, home to a wealth of historic sites and buildings.

Why is Boston historic?

One of America's most historically rich cities, the story of our nation is evident on nearly every corner in Boston. Officially founded in 1630 by English Puritans who fled to the new land to pursue religious freedom, Boston is considered by many to be the birthplace of the American Revolution.

What is Boston known for?

Boston is best known for its famous baked beans, Fenway Park, The Boston Marathon, and of course for the bar from Cheers, but dig a little deeper below the surface and you'll find a surprising wealth of things that make Boston one of the best cities in America—and the world.

How was Boston filled in?

When the Great Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the city, rubble from the fire was used to fill in the bay. What is this? The project finally reached completion in 1882. This new land nearly doubled the size of Boston peninsula.

What does the word Boston mean?

What Does the Name Boston Mean? Boston is a locational name from Lincolnshire, England which means Botwulf's Stone or Botwulf's tun (tun is an Old English word for a hamlet or small town.) It refers to Botolph, the English saint of travelers and farmers.

Who founded Connecticut?

Thomas Hooker: Beholding the Majesty of God

Thomas Hooker, a Puritan minister, left the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded Hartford, Connecticut. Although a devout Puritan, he advocated the separation of religion from politics.

What are people from Boston called?

According to state General Laws Part I, Title I, Chapter 2, Section 35, “Bay Staters shall be the official designation of citizens of the commonwealth.” The name was approved by the state Legislature in December of 1990. But Massachusetts has largely always been “Bay.”

Why was Massachusetts founded?

Like many of the early American colonies, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded in 1630, has its roots in the search for religious freedom. The Puritans of England came to Massachusetts in hopes of living free from persecution for their religious beliefs.

Which US state is the oldest?

AUGUSTA, Maine — The U.S. Census Bureau says Maine is still the nation's oldest state, with New Hampshire and Vermont right behind.

What was the first city?

The First City

The city of Uruk, today considered the oldest in the world, was first settled in c. 4500 BCE and walled cities, for defence, were common by 2900 BCE throughout the region.

What was the first city in USA?

St. Augustine, Florida, was founded in 1565, making it the oldest city in the US. Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, an explorer from Spain, landed on the east coast of Florida in 1565. Once there, he created a settlement and named it after the saint of brewers, St.

Why is Boston called New England?

In 1616, English explorer John Smith named the region "New England". The name was officially sanctioned on November 3, 1620, when the charter of the Virginia Company of Plymouth was replaced by a royal charter for the Plymouth Council for New England, a joint-stock company established to colonize and govern the region.

How did Boston get its nickname?

Puritans took to the beans, the slave trade brought us molasses, and the most common tale is that sailors and merchants passing through the region's biggest city would enjoy the quick, cheap meal to such a degree that the Beantown nickname emerged through word of mouth.

Who was the richest man in Boston in the 1760s?

The British tax both. PATRIOT OR SMUGGLER? In 1768, British customs officials spring a surprise raid on one of the richest men in Boston, John Hancock. Hancock's crew are carrying a hundred casks of imported wines and don't want to pay the duty to a king that's 5000kms away.

What is the oldest city in Europe?

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

The oldest city in Europe has been continuously inhabited since around the sixth millennium B.C. Originally a Thracian settlement, the city was conquered in fourth century B.C. by Philip II of Macedon — the father of Alexander the Great.

Where is the oldest city in the world?

Jericho, Palestinian Territories

A small city with a population of 20,000 people, Jericho, which is located in the Palestine Territories, is believed to be the oldest city in the world. Indeed, some of the earliest archeological evidence from the area dates back 11,000 years.