Established in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park. Now a popular place for public gatherings, relaxation and fun activities, the Common has been used for many purposes throughout its unique history.
In 1775, over 1,000 redcoats set up camp on the Common during a British occupation. It later served as the site of many Puritanical punishments and eventually became an area for livestock to graze.
Its continued history included civil rights rallies, one led by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Vietnam War protests. This U.S. National Historic Landmark played an important role in shaping Boston today.
– Devin Thompson, The Boston 100