Mug Shot — «Boston - George Washington Statue»

City: Boston Country: USA Edition: 2008 Icon Edition Belongs to: 697 users (26 trading, 181 seeking)

Boston is the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its largest city and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was named Boston by early settlers from Boston, Lincolnshire in England. 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. In 1630, Puritan colonists from England founded the city on the Shawmut Peninsula. During the late 18th century, Boston was the location of several major events during the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. Several early battles of the American Revolution, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston, occurred within the city and surrounding areas. Through land reclamation and municipal annexation, Boston has expanded beyond the peninsula. After American independence was attained Boston became a major shipping port and manufacturing center, and its rich history helps attract many tourists, with Faneuil Hall alone attracting over 20 million every year. The city was the site of several firsts, including the United States' first public school, Boston Latin School (1635) and the first subway system in the United States (1897). With many colleges and universities within the city and surrounding area, Boston is an international center of higher education and a center for medicine. The city's economic base includes research, manufacturing, finance, and biotechnology. Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, though it remains high on world livability rankings.

Statue of George Washington in Boston Public Garden represents George Washington not as President but as the Army’s Commander-in-Chief. Long before the fight for American independence began, Washington had distinguished himself as a British colonel during the French and Indian War. He returned to civilian life when the war ended, and he only gradually came to oppose British rule. As fighting escalated between the colonial and British troops, Washington recognized the need for a unified army of resistance. He agreed to lead the newly formed Continental Army in 1775, and, fourteen years later, was unanimously elected to become the first President of the United States. Despite his popularity, Washington felt reluctant to accept the Presidency, and he voluntarily resigned after his second term. Thomas Ball’s sculpture therefore shows Washington in the role he was more comfortable assuming—that of a military leader, not a politician. He appears calm and assured, even while leading a largely untrained and ill-prepared army against one of the world’s strongest military powers. The location of the statue is most attractive. It is placed in the midst of one of the finest thoroughfares of the Garden, handsomely enclosed, and surrounded by beautiful flower beds. It was placed into position and unveiled on July 3, 1869, with former Mayor Alexander Rice making an address on the occasion. The speech was also regarded as a matter for congratulation, as all the work upon the statue and its support was done by Massachusetts artists and artisans.

photo by lucky
edited by mobydick74 and Renee

  USA, Boston

Karma: 11 Added by Lucky 11 Comments