Boston Common is the oldest public park in America, established in 1634. The park is 44 acres of land that was purchased by Puritan colonists for 30 pounds. In 1634, the people of Boston voted to impose a tax to obtain the funds for a common park. The colonists purchased the land from William Blackstone and it was used as “common land” until 1830. Because every citizen paid the tax to pay for the park, every citizen of the town could let their cattle graze freely on the land. Aside from being used as a grazing ground, the park was used for punishments, encampments, celebration, and public oratories.

            The Puritans who originally purchased the park used the space for their punishments. There was a whipping post and stocks where punishments were giving. The “Great Elm” was used for the hanging of pirates, murders, and witches.

            During the British occupation of 1775, it became known as the “trayning field” for the over 1,000 Redcoat soldiers encamped there. It was from this camp that the soldiers left to go fight the Battles of Lexington and Concord – the first official battles of the Revolutionary War.

            Fireworks and bonfires were commonly used as celebration in the park, both when the Stamp Act was repealed and at the end of the Revolutionary War. The end of the war brought the desire to celebrate the nation’s newfound independence and the celebration in the park was attended by George Washington, John Adams, and General Marquis de Lafayette.            Many notable speeches were given at this park. The famous pilot, Charles Lindberg, spoke to the people of Boston to promote commercial flights. Martin Luther King lead a rally in the park. Civil War