, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States
. The largest city in New England
, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had a population of 617,594 according to the 2010 U.S.
1630 The city of Boston, Massachusetts is founded.
1631 Roger Williams emigrates to Boston.
1635 The first public school in the United States, Boston Latin School, is founded in Boston, Massachusetts.
1648 Margaret Jones is hanged in Boston for witchcraft in the first such execution for the Massachusetts colony.
1704 The first regular newspaper in the United States, the ''News-Letter'', is published in Boston, Massachusetts.
1774 American Revolutionary War: The Kingdom of Great Britain orders the port of Boston, Massachusetts closed pursuant to the Boston Port Act.
1775 American Revolutionary War: A British proclamation forbids residents from leaving Boston.
1776 The American War of Independence: The Americans capture Dorchester Heights dominating the port of Boston, Massachusetts.
1776 American Revolution: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.
1837 The Broad Street Riot occurs in Boston, fueled by ethnic tensions between Yankees and Irish.