Millions of Americans flock to Boston, one of the nation’s oldest cities, every year, drawn to its economic and social history. What began as a homesteading community eventually evolved into a center for social and political change. Boston, first incorporated as a town in 1630 and as a city in 1822, has since become the economic and cultural hub of New England.
Boston is Massachusetts’ capital and largest city. The key role it played in the American Revolution is highlighted on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walking route of historic sites that tells the story of the nation’s founding. One stop, former meeting house Faneuil Hall, is a popular marketplace attracting more than 20 million visitors per year.
Boston’s rich history begins with important events such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston. Upon American independence from Great Britain, the city continued to be an important port and manufacturing hub, as well as a center for education and culture. Its many firsts include the United States’ first public school, Boston Latin School, and first subway system.
The area’s many colleges and universities make Boston an international center of higher education and medicine, and the city is considered to be a world leader in innovation. Boston’s economic base also includes finance, professional and business services, biotechnology, information technology, and government activities. Households in the city claim the highest average rate of philanthropy in the United States, and they can take advantage of unparalleled dining and shopping opportunities.
But, as always, the focus of NECA 2016 Boston is on the future!
