1. The oldest surviving aerial photograph in the world was taken over Boston.
This shot was captured in 1860 by James Wallace Black. Black rode in a hot air balloon to get this shot. It is called "Boston, as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It."
2. Boston contains the deepest tunnel in North America.
The Ted Williams Tunnel steers traffic 90 feet underground.
3. Boston has the oldest subway system in the U.S.
Our country’s inaugural subway opened in 1897 and, on its first day in use, 100,000 people took a ride. Guess that proves that Bostonians have been early adopters long before that term was coined!
4. Boston earns its nickname as "America’s Walking City."
In a 2016 report, created by the Alliance for Biking & Walking , Boston was the major U.S. city with the highest percentage of people who walked or biked to work. We did share the number one spot with Washington D.C. In both cities, 16.7% of the population commute by walking or biking.
5. We have our own paint color.
By "we," I mean the Red Sox. The team holds the patent for Fenway Green, the signature color of the Green Monster.
6. If you’ve ever enjoyed a public park - or botanic garden - thank Boston!
Boston Common was the country’s first park. Admittedly, in its early days, the recreational experience was less relaxing – you had to carry a shotgun to ward off marauding bears – but it still counts. Boston introduced the idea of public gardens to the U.S. as well.
7. We brought you beaches.
Well, the concept of public, free ones at least. Revere Beach was "America’s First Public Beach."
8. Boston is the birthplace of U.S. public education.
The Boston Latin School was established in 1635 as the first public school in the country.
9. That includes higher education.
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest university in the U.S. and Boston remains a center for learning to this day.
10. Your smartphone wouldn't exist without Boston.
If Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson hadn’t been able to successfully complete the first telephone call in Boston in 1876, future technological developments in the field may never have occurred. Uber, Amazon Prime, and Grubhub would just be random words.
11. Boston has the oldest annual marathon.
In the first year it was held, which was 1897, a scant 15 people entered. Now, more than 30,000 people participate in this renowned race. While runners travel from all around the globe to compete, the marathon also serves as a metaphor for a city filled with tenacious people.
What aspect of Boston do you like to boast about? Let us know in the comments.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.