Boston dates back to 1630 with the arrival of Puritan emigrants from England on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Company. In 1684, the settlement was brought under the control of the British crown and the period of self-government ended. The settlers resented their loss of liberties and protested vigorously against British taxation policies. The most hated was the tax on imported tea and this led to American patriots dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston harbour: the Boston Tea Party of 1773.
The British set out to arrest rebel leaders and Paul Revere made his historic ride in 1775 from Boston to Lexington to warn them of the arrival of the British troops. The first shots of war were fired in nearby Lexington and Concord. Boston patriots soon drove the British authorities from the city during the War of Independence. During the 1800s the population grew from 24,000 to 560,000 as waves of immigrants settled in the city; principally Irish and then Italians.
One of the most famous descendants of these Irish immigrants was John F Kennedy, who was elected to represent Boston in the House of Representatives in 1946. In 1961, he became the first Catholic president of the United States.
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Key Study Areas
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Location Click here to view map
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History Excursions
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Our best value sample itinerary from £850
5 Days to Boston
Day 1:
Travel to Boston by air. Transfer to your accommodation and check in. Time permitting explore the local area.
Day 2:
Explore Boston on foot. Most of the city's major attractions including the State House, Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere's House are situated along the Freedom Trail. Visit the Boston Tea Party ship and museum.
Day 3:
Visit the USS Constitution and Museum. In the afternoon visit the Boston Institute of contemporary art.
Day 4:
Take the famous Boston Duck Tour, seeing the sights before plunging into the Charles River. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight.
Day 5:
Early morning arrival back in the UK.
