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The Story Behind the Great Boston Fire

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Great Boston Fire of 1872 was the largest fire in the city’s history. The fire began on the evening of November 9 in the basement of a warehouse on Summer Street, and was not contained until 12 hours later.

Before its containment, the fire tore through 65 acres in downtown Boston, including hundreds of buildings. The city’s financial district was totally consumed. Damages were estimated in the tens of millions of dollars, and at least 30 lives were lost in this epic fire.

Many factors contributed to the destructiveness of this conflagration. Numerous buildings were over-insured and not built to be fire-safe; in addition, the city’s building codes were rarely enforced. Roofs were flammable, constructed of wood in many cases. Fire-boxes were inaccessible and the fire department’s response was delayed. The city’s old pipes had low water pressure and the era’s steam engine pumpers were inefficient.

Thousands of Bostonians were homeless and jobless as a direct result of the fire. Insurance companies were bankrupted and businesses failed. A positive outcome was the decision to widen many of the city’s thoroughfares, which modernized the city and created more room for civic improvements; Boston rebuilt itself quickly after this great fire.

How the Kennedy’s Shaped and Influenced 19th Century Boston

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Boston, Massachusetts was greatly influenced by Irish Catholic immigrants during the nineteenth century which included the Kennedy family who were part of the Brahmin Elite. The Irish immigrants who included the ancestors of the well known Kennedy family had suffered during the Irish potato famine which encouraged the family to immigrate to America. Once in America the Kennedy family fought against great prejudice of the Irish while working hard and climbing the social ladder. The Brahmin elite were not only some of the wealthiest people of Boston they also were involved in the community and were held to high personal standards of conduct. During this time censorship of books, plays and movies led to the term, â€œBanned in Bostonâ€. The city became the center of education with several new schools and universities. Culturally the city became known for famous authors living in the city and the establishment of magazine and book publishers. Economically the city was thriving with fabric manufacturing factories. Joseph Patrick Kennedy began to work in financial institutions during this time which later influenced him to become involved in politics. His role as a ward boss for the Democratic Party influenced his sons to follow him into politics.Canâ€™t get enough? Thereâ€™s more: A Country Mourns With the Kennedy Family (1963)

Why Boston Was The 17th Century Center of the Revolution

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Boston is on of the oldest cities in the United States. It is not the oldest city in the United States, because a city in Florida has this honor. Many of the events that took place in or near Boston made the city the center of the American revolution. The first of these events was the Boston Massacre in which John Adams would play a role. The Boston Tea Party would let the English know that their colonists were displeased with their rule. The Battle of Bunker Hill would take place near Boston, although it would be a defeat for the American armies.

Boston, as the largest city in Massachusetts, has a colonial history. It also have a large population of patriots rather than a large population of loyalists. Many of the early key events of the Revolution would take place in New England, although events would later move south. The final surrender took place in Virginia, and everyone knows Washington’s troops spent their Winter in Valley Forge before Washington would cross the Delaware. Even though the revolution took place throughout all of the thirteen colonies, the spirit of discontent was highest in New England. New England patriots, not to be confused with th football team, were willing to fight for their country’s freedom.