The Handy Boston Answer Book. Samuel Willard Crompton

the Blizzard of ‘78 Red Sox lose heart-breaking, one-game playoff to Yankees Celtics great John Havlicek retires Federal Reserve Building in East Boston is completed The Paper Chase, a very popular television program, debuts on CBS 1979 John F. Kennedy Library is opened at Columbia Point Larry Bird comes to Boston for the first time to sign with the Celtics 1980 Ted Kennedy runs for Democratic nomination, losing to incumbent Jimmy Carter Bill Rodgers wins the Boston Marathon for the fourth time, tying Gerard Cote in second place of all-time winners Cheating scandal taints the Boston Marathon when Rosie Ruiz “wins” in record time 1982 Cheers appears on TV for first time 1982–83 Boston experiences frigid winter 1985 Spencer for Hire debuts on CBS 1986 New England Patriots reach the Super Bowl but are thrashed by Chicago Bears Red Sox come close to victory in World Series, but are foiled by New York Mets Boston Celtics have an outstanding year, culminating in another NBA championship 1988 Governor Michael Dukakis wins Democratic nomination but loses the general election to Republican George H.W. Bush 1992 Sail Boston brings the Tall Ships to Boston Harbor Construction of the new Boston Garden begins 1993 The last episode of Cheers airs in May 1995 The last games are played in the (old) Boston Garden 1996 Infinite Jest, a novel based on life in Brighton, is published 1997 New England Patriots reach Super Bowl but are bested by Green Bay Packers The old Boston Garden is demolished Good Will Hunting appears on the big screen to first-rate reviews 1998 USS Constitution celebrates her 200th birthday 1999 Bill Russell’s number is retired by the Boston Celtics 2000 Sail Boston brings back the Tall Ships 2002 New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI 2004 New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry wins Democratic nomination but loses the general election to Republican George W. Bush 2005 New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIX 2008 Boston Celtics win their seventeenth NBA championship, the first since 1986 2012 Former Governor Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination but loses the general election to Democrat Barrack Obama 2013 Boston Marathon is spoiled by the detonation of two bombs by terrorists Red Sox win the World Series, after having placed last in baseball in 2012 2014 Boston Marathon sees 35,000 runners, and the new slogan, “Boston Strong” American wins Boston Marathon for first time since 1980s 2015 New England Patriots win Super Bowl XLI, making it a total of four for the dynasty Boston experiences its coldest winter, and greatest amount of snow, in decades 2016 Boston Magazine publishes list of 100 Greatest Bostonians of all Time

      Introduction

      Boston is a city of many moods. Strolling across Longfellow Bridge in May is not the same as huddling for cover on that same bridge in February. Many cities have varying weather patterns, but few have so distinct a personality as Boston. To put it bluntly, Boston is not your father or your mother’s city. It belongs to your grandparents.

      Like a marvelous grandmother, Boston shows you the charms of the area. Holding your hand in hers, the grandmother escorts you along the Freedom Trail, perhaps the single most exciting and intriguing piece of history tourism ever developed. The grand old lady puts salt water taffy in your mouth, and takes you to the Public Garden for a ride on the famous swan boats. And then, to top it off, she allows you to stroll the Esplanade, and perhaps invites you to hear the Boston Pops perform. But as you head for home, you remember: I have a grandfather, too!

      Like a grumpy grandfather, one who has seen too many winters, Boston acts like the personification of Saturn, the Roman God of the passage of time. Your grandfather can chuckle, but he growls as well, and he wants you to know the seamy, as well as the sensational, part of life. With you trailing behind, your grandfather walks down the old and tired streets of Boston, pointing out where the Boston Strangler was found, and where the riots over busing began. He never tires of pointing to the discrepancy between rich and poor, saying that when the world comes to an end everyone will have to account for their actions. Walks with grandfather are not the same as those with grandmother. But on one thing Grandmother and Grandfather concur: The Red Sox are the greatest team the nation has ever seen.

      She is a lady of many moods, the great city of Boston. Though men have often served as her leaders, there has never been any doubt about her identification as feminine. Very likely it stems from the fact that the Charles and Mystic Rivers rush right past her on their way to the great bay from which Massachusetts gains its name. And, like any grande dame, she has her eccentricities and peculiarities. Even the casual visitor knows strolling on Longfellow Bridge in May is one experience, and that taking one’s life in one’s hands in December is entirely another.

      The Puritans named her, but the Native Americans were the first to drink from her waters; in fact, the name “Shawmut” means “place of the beautiful spring.” Even in Puritan times—less grim than we sometimes suppose—Boston was known for her ale and wine. A festive spirit managed to conceal itself behind the ramparts of religious perfectionism. And, over time, that desire to be the best altered its course, moving from the religious to the political sphere. The Revolutionary leaders—men like James Otis and Samuel Adams—were no less persuaded of their righteousness than their Puritan great-grandparents.

      The Revolutionary