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In 1858, Oliver Wendell Holmes referred to Boston, specifically the Massachusetts State House, as the "hub of the solar system." While originally intended as satire, Bostonians embraced this nickname as an identity of their city. There is some truth to this claim. For centuries, Boston has served as a "hub:" for industry and trade, political and social revolution, history and progress. From the Indigenous communities to English colonists, enslaved and free Black communities to immigrants from around the world, millions have contributed to the story of Boston. 
Learn about the Siege of Boston (1775-1776), one of the first major campaigns in the American War for Independence.
Learn about the significance of Dorchester Heights through this historical overview. Photo: National Park Service/©Louis S. Glanzman
Explore how personal lives and mass movements in Boston have been tied to the continuing memory of the American Revolution.
How have people remembered the Battle of Bunker Hill and the monument that commemorates it at different moments in history?
Peter Faneuil, namesake of Faneuil Hall, amassed an empire that spanned the Atlantic: an empire of goods, wealth, and enslavement.
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Last updated: February 25, 2026