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Think American history, and what first comes to mind? In our Massachusetts-centric minds it is of course our cities and towns. From the Pilgrim's landing in 1620 to the momentous events of the Revolution; from John Winthrop's "City on the Hill" to the Concord Transcendentalists and the discovery of ether (no fooling), there's no getting away from eastern Massachusetts when you're talking nation-shaping events.

Boston
Does the phase "Hub of the Universe" mean anything to you? Well, that's one of the nicknames given to Boston. So if you believe Bostonians think this city -- one of the oldest in America -- isn't historically important, then you're full of beans...Boston "Beantown" beans, that is. Keep your shoes clean as Virtually Boston takes you on a cyber-walk on the Freedom and Black History trails, as well lets you read up on Boston prose and poetry. And see a map of Boston from 1770. Boston Online provides additional resources, including contrasting British and colonial accounts of the Boston Massacre and detailed coverage of the famous Great Molasses Flood of 1919 (see column at right, too).

Brookline
Originally a part of Boston which took a hike to govern itself, Brookline later rejected entreaties to merge back into the city (unlike a number of neighboring towns) - sometimes there's just no turning back. Read up on the town once known as Muddy River.

Cambridge
Just across the river from Boston, it's best known as the home of Harvard (that's, "Hah-vud"), the oldest college in the U.S.. Not to mention that other school...what's its name? Oh, right: MIT. But there's much, much more to the city than just its schools, which Cantrabridgians won't hesitate to tell you.

Cape Ann
The towns of Cape Ann have a long, proud and sometimes tragic association with the sea, as memorialized in the famous statue of The Fisherman in Gloucester. Home of Clarence Birdseye, perfector of the art of frozen fish and just about everything else.

Charlestown
Today a Boston neighborhood, Charlestown played a vital role in American history - the Battle of Bunker Hill showed that American soldiers could fight a large battle -- unlike the largely guerilla-style fighting in Lexington and Concord. Charlestown is also home to the U.S.S Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel. Also see the Charlestown Timeline.

Concord
From the battle at the Old North Bridge to the Transcendentalists and Thoreau, few towns have contributed more to the formation of our country. If not our mealtime habits: let's not forget that Concord grapes were first bred here. Saunter a while in Concord and you'll find a range of historical info here, from maps to museum listings to articles and photographs. And yes, there were prehistoric inhabitants in this area before the Europeans arrived.

East Boston
Once known as Noddle's Island, East Boston started becoming a neighborhood in 1833 when its owner, Gen. William H. Sumner (as in the tunnel) began mapping out one of the country's first planned communities. For nearly 100 years, his East Boston Company shaped the neighborhood.

Lexington
There's still ongoing disagreement as to just WHERE the American Revolution started: Concord or Lexington? Visit the former and see what Lexington was like before the Revolution, read up on prominent local residents, see historic grave markers and take a tour of historic homes.

Malden
After a doubtlessly damp exploratory expedition through Middlesex Falls and Spots Pond, Governor Winthrop asked the General Court to establish an area north of Charlestown to be known as "Mystic Side" for the use of the Charlestown residents. By 1649 there were enough inhabitants in that area that with the consent of the inhabitants of Charlestown and the General Court in Boston a separate town, later known as Malden was established. And we thought crowding was a 20th century phenomenon! Also read about the history of Malden, England and Recollections of Malden in the Early 1900s

Needham
Founded in the 1640s by Dedhamites in search of gold, Needham started as a farming community. Eventually, it split off from Dedham - and later split again when residents of the western end of town left to become Wellesley.

Salem
Though permanently linked with witches, Salem also has a rich maritime history. Which isn't a suprise, considering it's a coastal town. See what local museums have to offer and learn about the events that helped shape this city.

Waltham
Long known as Watch City, Waltham today is a cornerstone of the Route 128 high-tech belt, holding up the pants of much of our local computer industry. But before that, this city was well-known for watches; take a look at photos of the old factory.