And give reasons for your answers if possible.

Baltimore
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington

And give reasons for your answers if possible.

Baltimore
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington

Here goes:
1.) New York. Plenty of pre-20th century history...but more happened in NYC since 1900 than in all the other cities combined.
2.) Washington. It's where the government operates: where history (of a more academic nature) happens. It's not thrilling, but it's still history.
3.) Boston. It was crucial to the start of the American Revolution, which Philadelphia finished. However, Boston was immensely important as a Abolitionist agitator in the Civil War. I hate to use the word "agitator" but, Boston's smug self-righteousness in being on the side of justice and equality hastened the war and its conclusion. Oddly, Boston has always maintaned poor race relations, but that's another history....
4.) Philly (barely behind Boston by the slimmest of margins) the city of the Constitution! The city that finished what Boston started. The city that was the second largest town in the British Empire at one point!
5.) Baltimore. A big port town. Star Spangled Banner. Go Ravens...Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, and SF are far more important to the history of the US than Baltimore is.

1. New York. just 'cause
2. Boston. Tea Party, Lexington & Concord, Bunker Hill
3. Philadelphia. Continental Congress, Constitutional Convention, Rocky
4. Washington. Nation's Cap. Important supreme court decisions, MLK speech, etc.
5. Baltimore. Umm, some nice old neighborhoods.

1-2 Philadelphia-Boston. I think they're equally as imporant, they were just on different ends of the action. Like Service Lift Attendant said, Boston started it and Philadelphia finished it.
3 New York. I hardly think nyc deserves first "just cause". Great town and all that, but i can't think of anything it did that was more important than what boston or philly did.
4 Washington
5 Baltimore

Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, and SF are far more important to the history of the US than Baltimore is.
Howso? The War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle at Fort McHenry were pretty darn significant. I just dont see how those cities, particularly L.A. and San Fran are more historically significant than Baltimore.

Howso? The War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle at Fort McHenry were pretty darn significant. I just dont see how those cities, particularly L.A. and San Fran are more historically significant than Baltimore.

Baltimore was also the largest city in the country though most of the 1800's. I would think that would make it significant historically.
Even still, I would put it 5th on the list of those cities.

1.) Philly
2.) Boston
3.) NYC
4.) DC
5.) Baltimore

Where would any of you place New Orleans, with these cities?

Where would any of you place New Orleans, with these cities?
I dont know

Anyway my list is
1.Boston and Philly (A Tie)
2.Baltimore
3.Manhattan
4.DC
5.Portsmouth

My list is
1.Boston and Philly
2.NY
3.Baltimore
4.DC
5.Portsmouth

Portsmouth??? NH??? What?

jaysonjaz,
Baltimore was never the largest city in the U.S. From 1776 to 1800 Philadelphia was. After that it was and ever has been New York.

Portsmouth??? NH??? What?

jaysonjaz,
Baltimore was never the largest city in the U.S. From 1776 to 1800 Philadelphia was. After that it was and ever has been New York.

I checked it out and you're right.. according to Wikepedia:

"In the 1830, 1840, and 1850 censuses of the United States of America, Baltimore was the second largest city in population"

I think what I got in my head was that Baltimore was larger than NYC during those years and somehow that got mixed up in my brain to be the largest city in the country. Thanks for correcting me :)

Portsmouth was a very importand city back then. It was the 10th largest city in 1790. It was 10th but still it was very important.

And give reasons for your answers if possible.

Baltimore
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington

1.Philadelphia
2.Boston
3.New York
4.Baltimore
5.Washington

Without Philadelphia/Valley Forge The USA doesn't exist as we know it. Boston, NYC, Baltimore were all huge players but Philadelphia was the power city at that time. Most of the financial + educational resources came out of Philadelphia and without the revololutionary troops being able to regroup at Valley Forge the colonials would have been crushed. NO country.

Baltimore. A big port town. Star Spangled Banner. Go Ravens...Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, and SF are far more important to the history of the US than Baltimore is.

None of those cities saved the US. Remember the reason that the Star Spangled Banner was written. It wasn't JUST a piece of bad poetry attached to an unsingable song. After the Brits had routed the army and burned central DC to the ground and planned on working their way up the coast, where were they stopped? Atlanta? No. Chicago? No, that's the city that gave us Ms O'Learys cow. Richmond? No. That city is only famous in the CSA, not the USA. The city that saved our hind quarters was Baltimore. The two pronged invasion was stopped at Fort McHenry as everybody knows, but also at the battle of North Point. Had it not been for Baltimore stalwarts, the US would probably be part of Canada now.

Portsmouth may have been "important" to a particular region during colonial/early republic days, but I think its significance in the scheme of the entirety of U.S. history is relatively minor. I'm no scholar in NH history, but Portsmouth is not very (if at all) present in most history textbooks.

Portsmouth is severely underrated. Just think about the portsmouth naval shipyard...although recently it was found to be in Maine actually.

Off the sub. but my History Professor says that the American Revolution actually started in New Hampshire. I forgot exactly how it went. Ill ask him again next friday. He and the rest of historian friends are trying to correct the information and say that It actually started in New Hampshire. He has talked to various people about it too.

Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Baltimore

Forget about the Portland stuff, and yes, SF, LA etc. are more important than Baltimore becuase the United States has more history that happened after the Civil War than before it. More has happened since then. LA has changed the very way Western Culture thinks (on a certain level :)) while Baltimore was crucial in one war. Oakland was crucial in the Vietnam war. Should Baltimore go toe to toe with Oakland? :)

I agree. Older history does not make it more significant history by default.

Boston/Philly, birthplace of USA
NYC, developments in modern economy
Washington, the location of US policy, but in history itself, little happened here (war of 1812)
Baltimore, where that guy (Sir Francis Scott Key) wrote that song (come on now...) I get to hear before I get to watch a baseball game.

Well first off, here are the four oldest big U.S. cities, so if you're talking about history, that sort of puts these first no matter what other cities are like today:
Boston... Revolutionary war, 1812, Shot Heard round the world
Philly... the Constitutional Congress, former U.S. capital, Liberty Bell
New York... Revolutionary war, 1812, George Washington commissioned, former U.S. capital, Statue of Liberty,
Baltimore... War of 1812/Star Spangled Banner, 1st railroad, former U.S. capital, First Blood of the Civil War, First Dental College,first turnpike Baltimore National Pike, First telegraph line, 1st live remote presidential radio speech(Ft. McHenry by wire strung around the harbor directly to the radio tower!),Consitutional Congress, First settled in late 1600's

Then the rest...
Washington It didn't exist during the founding years of the country.
Atlanta... civil rights
Richmond... Civil War, not much else
LA? Didn't exist in the early history of the country, one giant suburb with little history

I keep saying this... age doesn't necessitate historical significance. So LA isn't as old as many other cities. I'd argue that what LA means to twentieth century history is more significant than what some of the other cities mean to eighteenth century history.

I'm not arguing that LA should be #1 or even close to it, but the fact that people immediately discount it because it's "not old enough" is silly.

What ever happened in LA that is historically significant my I ask?

Baltimoreguy, if you READ my post you'd see I wasn't arguing that LA should be considered among the top 5. I was arguing against the REASON people immediately discount it. If you're gonna say LA is insignificant historically, say it's because nothing important happened there. Don't say it's insignificant because it's simply younger than other cities. Historical significance isn't quantified by age.

I do, however, think the fact that American pop culture comes from L.A. (mostly) is historically significant. Whether or not that makes it worthy of being in the top 5, I'd probably argue no.

Since when is "pop culture" taught as history? Is that some new outcome-based history? Well, maybe you have a point. Some of the Hollywood star trials may go down in legal history as F-ups! HAha!

History isn't all about battles and old churches. American pop culture has had a tremendous effect on America's history (remember the 60s?) and, I argue, the rest of the world's pop culture. It is and has long been part of our national identity, and it's therefore historically significant.

History isn't all about battles and old churches. American pop culture has had a tremendous effect on America's history (remember the 60s?) and, I argue, the rest of the world's pop culture. It is and has long been part of our national identity, and it's therefore historically significant.

I agree, but pop culture isnt something unique to LA. Fashion, trends, ideas, and concepts are just as likely to come from SF, NYC, Chicago, etc etc. I dont think you can tie it to a single city. Afterall, it doesnt become pop culture until the rest of the country embraces it.

What about Detroit??

Detroit brought the automobile to the masses, and in doing so, it invented the assembly line. In my opinion, two of the most important advances of the 20th century.

Baltimore... War of 1812/Star Spangled Banner, 1st railroad, former U.S. capital, First Blood of the Civil War, First Dental College,first turnpike Baltimore National Pike, First telegraph line, 1st live remote presidential radio speech(Ft. McHenry by wire strung around the harbor directly to the radio tower!),Consitutional Congress, First settled in late 1600's

I never know that Bmore was the capitol. I thought it went from Philly, to NYC to DC. First blood in the civil war was drawn in SC not Bmore.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/singles/h1861p283.html First Blood of the Civil War was on Market Street in Baltimore Maryland in a Mob Riot

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/singles/h1861p283.html First Blood of the Civil War was on Market Street in Baltimore Maryland in a Mob Riot

Wow!!!

However, we are entering a "gray" area with this, that could turn into a slippery slope discussion.

Concidering that MD was a slave state (but never joined the confed.), I wonder why this mob would attack union soldiers. Maybe they were slaveowners? Is it a "battle" or a civil disturbance. It was a mob, not confederate soldiers.

Farthermore, how do you define "first blood?" I never know that nobody was killed at Fort Sumner. But maybe somebody stubbed their toe??

You see what I am getting at.

If a protester at a war rally gets killed by a cop, is it an Iraq casualty?

czm3, I know sort of the general narrative. Maybe someone else could fill in more details.

MD was a slave state and was on the brink of becoming part of the confederacy, but all of the pro-confederate leaders were mysteriously assassinated. MD remained part of the Union.

The U.S. Government placed Union soldiers in Baltimore on a directive from Washington due to the fact that Baltimore and Maryland was a slave state north of the capital. At the time, Baltimore was the 3rd largest city in the country after New York and Chicago and it was very important to keep Baltimore in the Union due to the port and the railroad. However, Baltimoreans revolted against Union soldiers and attacked them. This occured after the attack at Fort Sumner where no one was killed. That is why historians consider the attack in Baltimore by militia as the first blood of the Civil War. To call it an anti-war protest is just moronic and lacking in any historical knowledge. If anything, Baltimoreans of the time WANTED war against Washington and the Union! Without Baltimore the Union would have fallen apart.

The U.S. Government placed Union soldiers in Baltimore on a directive from Washington due to the fact that Baltimore and Maryland was a slave state north of the capital. At the time, Baltimore was the 3rd largest city in the country after New York and Chicago and it was very important to keep Baltimore in the Union due to the port and the railroad. However, Baltimoreans revolted against Union soldiers and attacked them. This occured after the attack at Fort Sumner where no one was killed. That is why historians consider the attack in Baltimore by militia as the first blood of the Civil War. To call it an anti-war protest is just moronic and lacking in any historical knowledge. If anything, Baltimoreans of the time WANTED war against Washington and the Union! Without Baltimore the Union would have fallen apart.

Hey bro, I realize the comment about the war rally was out of line (I ought to erase it but wont for the sake of other people reading our banter). But the link you put up describes the group as a mob, not a militia. Chicago was small in 1860, I would guess NYC and Philly to be the two cities bigger than Bmore. I think we can both agree that this revolt is not concidered to be commonly known history (at least outside of Baltimore).

As far as my "lack of knowledge of history," I am mildly offended because I know more about history than 99% of the population. However in this case you are correct, since today is the first day that I have ever heard about this revolt.

I was drawing a comparisian to the Boston Massacre that preceeded the revolution. But since those Bostonians were not part of any official militia, the revolution didnt start till Lexington/Concord.

http://www.demographia.com/db-uscityr1850.htm I stand corrected Chicago was not number 2 in 1860. It wasn't till 1870 I believe.

http://www.demographia.com/db-uscityr1850.htm I stand corrected Chicago was not number 2 in 1860. It wasn't till 1870 I believe.


Well alright...

I guess I ought to hit the history books!

New York
D.C.
Boston
Philly
Baltimore

czm3, I know sort of the general narrative. Maybe someone else could fill in more details.

MD was a slave state and was on the brink of becoming part of the confederacy, but all of the pro-confederate leaders were mysteriously assassinated. MD remained part of the Union.

No, pro-confederate leaders were not "mysteriously assassinated." Many were arrested, however.

Actually, it is difficult to assess exactly the extent to which Baltimore City and the State of Maryland were pro-southern or pro-northern at the start of the Civil War as there were significant numbers on each side. In general, the areas to the south and east of Baltimore more strongly supported the South, while the areas to the north and west of Baltimore more strongly supported the North. Governor Hicks and many prominent Baltimoreans wanted to stay neutral, and tried to prevent Union soldiers from passing through the city because they knew that if that happened, there was a good chance for violence. (They were correct.) Gov Hicks repeatedly refused to convene the legislature until he absolutely had to. When he did, however, he convened it in Frederck, MD, a city known to be pro-North. According the Maryland State Archives website:

http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/stagser/s1259/121/7590/html/0000.html

In early 1861, Maryland was walking a tightrope between the Union and the Confederacy. In addition to being physically between the two sides, Maryland depended equally on the North and the South for its economy. Although Maryland had always leaned toward the south culturally, sympathies in the state were as much pro-Union as they were pro-Confederate. Reflecting that division and the feeling of many Marylanders that they just wanted to be left alone, the state government would not declare for either side.

For the Federal Government, however, there was no question about which side Maryland had to take. If she seceded, Washington D.C. would be surrounded by hostile states, effectively cut off from the rest of the Union. The situation came to a head on April 19, 1861, when the soldiers of the 6th Massachusetts Volunteers, moving through Baltimore on the way to Washington, were attacked by a pro-Southern mob. When the mob started shooting at the regiment, the soldiers returned fire, and when the smoke had cleared, four soldiers and twelve civilians had been killed.

To avoid further riots, it was decided to send troops through the Naval Academy at Annapolis. To ensure the safety of the troops and the loyalty of the state government, the Federal Government sent General Benjamin F. Butler to Annapolis to secure the city on April 22. That same day, Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks decided to call a special session of the General Assembly to discuss the crisis. At that time, the General Assembly met biannually, but popular outcry was so strong that the governor felt it necessary to call together the Assembly during an off year. However, he probably felt that anti-Union sentiment would run high in a city that had just been occupied by Northern troops, so Governor Hicks decided to convene the Legislature in Frederick, Maryland, a strongly pro-Union city.

The General Assembly first met in the Frederick County Courthouse on April 26. However, it was quickly found that the courthouse was too small, and so, on the second day, the Assembly moved to Kemp Hall the meeting hall belonging to the German Reformed Church. On April 30, the weekly Frederick Herald reported: "The Legislature seems comfortable and well provided for in their new halls in the German Reformed Building. The Senate occupies the Red Men's Hall, third story -- the House, the hall in the second story. These halls have been tastefully and appropriately fitted up for their purposes."

The main topic of discussion in those tastefully appointed halls was, of course, the question of whether or not to secede from the Union. As the General Assembly met throughout the long summer, a bill and a resolution were introduced calling for secession. Both failed because the legislators said that they did not have the authority to secede from the Union. Even many of the pro-Southern delegates and senators did not support the bills. At the same time, however, the legislators refused to reopen rail links to the Northern States, for fear that they would be used for military purposes and also by pro-Union agitators bent on revenge for the Baltimore riots. One of the few things the General Assembly did agree upon was a resolution sent to President Lincoln protesting the Union occupation of Maryland. It seems that the General Assembly was primarily interested in preserving Maryland's neutrality, for they neither wanted to secede from the Union, nor to allow Union troops to cross its territory in order to attack the Confederacy.

On August 7, the General Assembly adjourned, intending to meet again on September 17. However, on that day Federal troops and Baltimore police officers arrived in Frederick with orders to arrest the pro-Confederate members of the General Assembly. Thus, the special session in Frederick ended, as did Frederick's summer as the state capital, as Maryland found itself inexorably drawn further and further into the heart of the bloodiest war in American history.


Suffice it to say that the pro-North elements in Maryland finally took charge with considerable help from the Union Army.

I can't believe any of you will place more significance on any city than NYC.

Even if we exclude the 20th century (which we most certainly should not), NYC's rapid growth and importance in the 19th century went hand-in-hand with the nation's rise to power. It was, first and foremost, a great seaport that surpassed Boston in the mid 19th century and never looked back. It was the largest recipient of immigrant traffic in the US. It gradually became the focus for the arts, business and finance, publishing, theatre, and urban planning. By the end of the 19th century its dominance in all of these factors was unquestionable.

Now, add to that the 20th century. Need I say more?

My list, in order:

NYC

Washington, DC (Boston was more important in the 19th century, but as DC became the nation's capital I think clearly it has become more important)

Boston--top schools, still an important center for business, finance, and the "Big Dig" definitely set a precedent for this country

Philly--took a huge nose-dive and still taking one. I lived there for 1 year and things didn't look promising. I hope things are finally turning around

Baltimore--the "Detroit" of the east coast. I hate to say it, but Detroit is probably making an even better comeback than Baltimore is

I hate to say it, but Detroit is probably making an even better comeback than Baltimore is
Are you serious? You cannot be serious.

Did he forget that whole american revolution thing?

Did he forget that whole american revolution thing?

I recognize your point, Palindrome, and I have the utmost respect for Boston and other cities and their huge role in that and other aspects of American history.

But one cannot deny that a lot has happened since those days and New York has undoubtedly been a more important city in America's history. Time and again, New York bankers have saved this country from fiscal crisis over a century ago, ie JP Morgan. New York bankers and businessmen have built many aspects of this country with their money.

Chicago owes its whole existence to the creation of the Erie Canal, allowing goods from the heartland to flow, via Chicago, through the great lakes and into Manhattan's harbors to trade with Europe. America's whole economy has depended on NYC. But economics is only one facet. We all know the other huge contributions NYC has made. Other cities have made large ones as well, but I think it's obvious that NYC's role stands slightly above the crowd.

Are you serious? You cannot be serious.

I agree, that's pretty steep to say Baltimore isn't doing a better job at renewal, though Detroit is getting things together. Baltimore has time and time again proven to be a leader in urban renewal. I think that should add to Baltimore's strong points in history. Baltimore is a model for other cities when it comes to renewal and that really means something.

^Living in DC, I am ashamed to say that I have barely made any trips to Baltimore. A lot of that is because most people tell me that there is no point in going there, everything you need is in the DC metro, and that Baltimore is run-down.

Baltimore is better off than Detroit due to Johns Hopkins as well as its position in the east coast, part of the BosWash Amtrak corridor, and proximity to DC

Detroit will never have that. However, a lot of construction is going on in both cities, and Detroit is pretty much the center of a huge industry, something that Baltimore doesn't really have. GM and other companies are moving into downtown Detroit--and the changes are incredible. I know a lot is starting to happen in Baltimore, too.

Whatever--I'm not trying to turn this into a versus thread. I was trying to come up with an analogy for Baltimore, and I would love to see both cities (it and Detroit) make huge comebacks

Some of you people really need to get more into your history. How is New York City and washington DC before Philadelphia? All DC is is a place to store national monuments and things that actually took place in either Boston or Philly. New York city was actuall overshadowed by Philadelphia and Boston back then. The only reason why New York City is what it is today is because Philadelphia doesn't have a big enough port to carry things in from other countries. New York surpassed Philly in many ways even though it wasn't supposed to.

it's too close for me to call between DC, Boston and Philly. Boston and Philly were very important in the first stages of our country forming what is the foundation and getting us away from Europes imperialism, but in the last 200 years I can't really say they're more important than DC. If those monuments aren't enough, than you should make the trip to Arlington Cemetary, Vietnam War Memorial or WWII on veterans day or any day for that matter and see the impact that these events that regardless where they happened are forever commemorated in the nations capitol, the holocaust museum also. The very goverment and democracy that were founded in Boston and Philly have been kept going in Washington for more then 2 centuries now, this is the center of the US empire. The only places in DC that store anything that happened in Boston or Philly are the Library of Congress and National Archives. Don't get me wrong however, the importance along on the Revolution and founding of this country can't be overemphasized and that alone is why Philly and Boston are worthy, along with all 5 of these places being cool towns with their culture, history, and/or nightlife. Boston is the second financial center of the country, Philly is important still and NYC is the capitol of the world and the most important city economically and culturally in the Western Hemisphere. NY, DC and Boston (tie), Philly, B'more. I'm not like the Urban Politician, I love Baltimore and make trips up there quite a bit. The inner harbor is fantastic, the overall feel is very unique like all of the towns, and I'm thankful the DC-B'more area has it along with other cities that are important like Alexandria and Annapolis. W. B'more has it's problems too, I like DC better but it's worth making the trip to.

Philly is the most historical in the early stages with the numbered streets and the grid and avenues named after trees, and city planning in general and boston pioneered in many areas too along with being the education center of the country but I stand by my rankings, it's not easy between Philly, DC, and Boston IMO, as far as history is concerned that is.

1-2: Boston and Philadelphia, back in the days of the colonial period, these were the 2 happenin cities
3: New York, enough said
4. Washington, where everything happens
5. Baltimore, giving us Edgar Poe, the War of 1812

And give reasons for your answers if possible.

Baltimore
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington

1. Washington (though I may be bit biased)
2. Philadelphia
3. New York
4. Boston
5. Baltimore

Ok heres my rating.
1. Boston- bcuz most of its building are still old and they had schools like Harvard and Boston Latin School that all the way from 1600s to early 1700s(i think) and the USS constitution. They also led the U.S. to two wars that help made the U.S. better.
2. Philadelphia- The liberty bell and benjamine franklin and also Philadelphia was the colony that finished the Rev. war. Something Boston couldnt do.
3. Washington- Most of the historical buildings in Washington can teach us about U.S past. Like the library, monument, capitol building. etc.
4. Baltimore- i like the USS constellation there so yea numbuh 4. they also have some other historical site there.
5. New York- great city but with all these new skyscraper popping up, there is almost none( or at least i cant spot them anymor) historical sites. So i think New York is 5th.

Well, it sounds like most people think that the constitition and everything alse is chopped liver.....

Also... we're not talking about the cities and how they are today (Urban politician) were talking about back then

Where would any of you place New Orleans, with these cities?

New Orleans is definately important to our Nation's History, but I think the context of the poll and/or question of city importance is just dealing with the "North East". ;)

So, ... here goes...
1.) Boston and Philly 1 and 2 respectively. SO MUCH History. The foundation of our Nation and it's growth.
3.) NYC. ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE OF THE PAST TWO CENTURIES! eNough said! :D
4.) DC. Capital of our Nation and all of the trimmings... ;)
5.) Baltimore. It's my hometown! That makes it most important to me! :D ;)
Oh yeah, alot of other great signifacant history here too. :) GO BALTIMORE! :D Maybe one day you'll be number one! ;) I'm sure I, nor my great grandchildren will be alive then, BUT, one day! :D :cheers: :runaway:

I never know that Bmore was the capitol. I thought it went from Philly, to NYC to DC. First blood in the civil war was drawn in SC not Bmore.
Baltimore was very briefly the capitol, I believe, during the war of 1812. Congress met in a building that was known as "Old Congress Hall" It stood where the 1st Mariner Arena now stands. It was the capitol for only a matter of a few weeks at most, then it moved to Philly until Washington was out of danger.

Yes the country's bacon was saved by the defence of Ft. McHenry and the battle of North Point. After sacking Washington, the British primary objective was to take Baltimore, as it was the primary port where raiders and privateers operated from.

The Battle of North Point is almost unknown outside the Baltimore area, but it was just as important as the defence of Ft. Mchenry. The British advanced within a few miles of the city before being stopped at what is now known as Battle Acre, not far from present day Essex. The British army and navy retreated and never came back.

There are still visible earthworks in Patterson Park, only 2 miles from downtown and put there in case a last-ditch defence was needed.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't a Baltimorean the "first" president of the states/colonies? I mean, before they had a national election? I think I am remembering that right. Anyone? :D

Baltimore was very briefly the capitol, I believe, during the war of 1812. Congress met in a building that was known as "Old Congress Hall" It stood where the 1st Mariner Arena now stands. It was the capitol for only a matter of a few weeks at most, then it moved to Philly until Washington was out of danger.

Right place, wrong timeframe.

In 1776, during the American Revolution, Gen Washington retreated from New York across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania, leaving Philadelphia exposed to British attack. The Continental Congress, fearing capture, vacated Philadelphia and moved to Baltimore in December 1776. They convened at a building on then Market, now Baltimore St (the current site of the Arena), built by a Henry Fite as an inn. It became known at Congress Hall, and later burned down in 1860. The Continental Congress sat in Baltimore from Dec 1776 through February 1777. During their stay in Baltimore, many congressmen did not have glowing reviews of the town. They complained about the lack of paved streets and other amenities compared to Philadelphia, though John Adams wrote that he liked the spirit of the citizens. When they felt it safe enough, the Continental Congress returned to Philadelphia in March 1777.

In the War of 1812, the British marched on Washington, D.C., and burned the city on 24 August 1814, at which time President Monroe retreated to the Virginia countryside. But the British did not stay in Washington, and instead conducted a combined land and sea attack on Baltimore, concluding with the famous bombardment of Ft. McHenry on September 13, 1814. In the meantime, Madison returned to Washington on 27 August 1814 to resume operation of the governemtn. Baltimore never served as the National Capital during the War of 1812 (nor at any time other than 1776-1777).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't a Baltimorean the "first" president of the states/colonies? I mean, before they had a national election? I think I am remembering that right. Anyone? :D

Here's the story.

Before there was a Constitution as we know it (1789), the Continental Congress proposed in 1777 the "Articles of Confederation," intended to establish a unified nation but with a fairly weak central government. The Articles of Confederation were not ratified, however, until 1781 at which time John Hanson, who was born in Charles Co, MD, was elected first President under the terms of the Articles.

There had been previous Presidents of the Continental Congress. However, some consider Hanson the "first President" because he was the first to serve as president of a nation united by the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation allowed a President to serve only a one-year term during any three-year period, and Hanson was followed by six other presidents under the Articles.

However, since the country that we know today came into being with the ratification of the Constitution, and George Washington was the first president under that system, he is, with good reason, considered the first President of the United States.

By the way, no Marylander has served as President under the Constitution, and only one Marylander has served as Vice-President. Yes, Spiro "my hero" Agnew.

Right place, wrong timeframe.

In 1776, during the American Revolution, Gen Washington retreated from New York across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania, leaving Philadelphia exposed to British attack. The Continental Congress, fearing capture, vacated Philadelphia and moved to Baltimore in December 1776. They convened at a building on then Market, now Baltimore St (the current site of the Arena), built by a Henry Fite as an inn. It became known at Congress Hall, and later burned down in 1860. The Continental Congress sat in Baltimore from Dec 1776 through February 1777. During their stay in Baltimore, many congressmen did not have glowing reviews of the town. They complained about the lack of paved streets and other amenities compared to Philadelphia, though John Adams wrote that he liked the spirit of the citizens. When they felt it safe enough, the Continental Congress returned to Philadelphia in March 1777.

In the War of 1812, the British marched on Washington, D.C., and burned the city on 24 August 1814, at which time President Monroe retreated to the Virginia countryside. But the British did not stay in Washington, and instead conducted a combined land and sea attack on Baltimore, concluding with the famous bombardment of Ft. McHenry on September 13, 1814. In the meantime, Madison returned to Washington on 27 August 1814 to resume operation of the governemtn. Baltimore never served as the National Capital during the War of 1812 (nor at any time other than 1776-1777).
Oops...shoulda looked it up first!! :bash:

Here goes:
Oddly, Boston has always maintaned poor race relations, but that's another history....

But, then again, so have New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

It's amazing to me how much the busing riots of 1974 have etched Boston into the national consciousness as a PARTICULARLY rascist city. The riots were a product of a court decision at a particular time, in a particular climate. I'm not saying Boston doesn't have race issues (what American city doesn't?), but it's certainly no more profoundly "rascist" than any of the other cities mentioned.

Did someone say Rodney King?

I can't believe any of you will place more significance on any city than NYC.

Bingo! You win the prize! :)

Boston is very clannish. Sorry im just speaking on experience. The people there just aren't that.... friendly=(

Boston - started things off, start of the revolution.
Baltimore - who needs Washington? There would be no America in 1812 if it wasn't for Baltimore.
Philadelphia - Constitution.
New York - Nothing more than a glorified metropolis, can't remember major historical sginificance (no expert on US history).
Washington - Nothing more than were we store the president, the one place where no one will speak ill of him, only yes people.

Have you ever been to DC, copying what some idiot before just makes you look dumber. There's a lot more than that. While the America's birth and the Revolution were important, there's is more to this country's history then just that time period. Culture, Economy, Politics, Entertainment, Industry, these are all a part of history. How many things of historical significance does B'more have over DC in the past 150 years? What does yes people have to do with anything, DC is a liberal city, not as much as Boston, but many of the people in DC are expats and people fresh out of college, most of which are liberal. The yes people you talk about are either those who are trying to take advantage of the local economy by working for the US gov't and those who work here b/c a politician from their conservative state works there. You put B'more 2nd, you're obviously biased as hell, even I'm not as biased as you, based on one event. The US is most notable arguably b/c of it's gov't. 9/11 will be one of the most historic events in this country's history. NY-Boston-DC-Philly---------B'more. Other than a few events, there aren't many events that happen in B'more on a twice a century basis or so. It's a really nice city though.

Boston is very clannish. Sorry im just speaking on experience. The people there just aren't that.... friendly=(

Really Sweetie??? Where you from??? I've lived here for a number of years and the people I know are ... uh ... plenty friendly toward me. So, I really can't speak to your personal experience.

But, that said, what does that have to do with race relations? Unless, of course, you're black and a bunch of white Bostonians have been reeeeaaallly nasty to you. If so, I'm sorry. Maybe we can make it up to you...

^^ No need to take offense just speaking on experience.Its an ok city in all but to me the people are a little cliquey(sp?) I'm from NYC but I'm living in Philadelphia.

I honestly don't know what you mean. Really...

I mean, I lived in NYC for a number of years too, and people didn't exactly come up to me on the street and say "Hey, how are ya'! New in town? Wanna join our club?" On reflection, I guess I should have paid more attention because ... HEY ... they must have had "cliques" that they didn't want me to join. Now I feel depressed. NYC! What meany place!!!

Cheers! :)

^^ I wasn't talking about New York City. They arent cliquey at all. I was talking about Boston.

^^ I wasn't talking about New York City. They arent cliquey at all. I was talking about Boston.

I know ... frightening ... truly frightening ...

what do you mean???

Atalnta is home of chain retail and strip shopping centers? I have seen very little historic areas there.



Howso? The War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle at Fort McHenry were pretty darn significant. I just dont see how those cities, particularly L.A. and San Fran are more historically significant than Baltimore.

every city has some kind of history, unless you live in....

1. Providence
2. Tulsa
3. Jacksonville
4. Charlotte
5. Erie

Philly (They booed Santa for Christ sake)

Boston (Home of backstabbers and punks that can't fight)

Baltimore (STD's are still very important here.)

NY (Didn't NY invent spit?)

DC (Didn't DC invent licking spit?)

Philly (They booed Santa for Christ sake)

Boston (Home of backstabbers and punks that can't fight)

Baltimore (STD's are still very important here.)

NY (Didn't NY invent spit?)

DC (Didn't DC invent licking spit?)
Umm is that just a list of insults?

Just jokes.

Yeah, Jeez, DarkFenX, don't you have a sense of humor? ;)

1 - Philadelphia: Even though Boston started the Revolutionary War, the Americans did most of the dirty work nearby Philadelphia in Valley Forge, and Washington Crossing. The British took over Boston and New York, so Philadelphia acted as a buffer zone between the British and the Americans. As soon as Valley Forge ended, momentum started to turn on our side and we eventually won the war, so had it not been for the brave and patriotic people of Philadelphia, like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Betsy Ross (the maker of our original flag), and countless others, there would be no America, and we'd be talking with British accents by now. Also, Philadelphia , at that time, was the largest city in America (not NYC), and was the second largest English-speaking city after London. Not only that, during colonial times, we was the intellectual, financial, cultural, spiritual, educational, and executive center in America. Not to metion the most diverse city at that time too. Philadelphia was a place where you praticed religious freedom, founded by William Penn (who also founded the state of Pennsylvania, no Philly, no PA) so a lot of Quakers, Catholics, Jews, native Americans, and people of other faiths came to Philadelphia until NYC became the cultural hub in the 19th Century. Also, it as the first place where free blacks were located, not in NYC (where slavery was still pratced, read more about Sojourner Truth, you'll understand), or Boston (purely puritanical, they killed off the Indians, and sent the rest out west, and there was even a law barring native Americans from living in Boston until now, which gives Boston a 'racist' aura, even today) During that time, Philadelphia was the place where everybody gotten along. The first police, the first fire department, the first hospital, the first library, the first African American church (look up Richard Allen), the first succcessful group of blacks (not Harlem), and even the first zoo all happened in Philadelphia. And that's where the Bill of Rights and the Constitution was written, in Philadelphia!!!!!!!!!!!!! :colgate:

2 - Boston: Even though I stated that Boston was puritanical and even racist (even now), Boston still has a lot of significance in the Revolutionary War, like the Battle of Bunker Hill, Lexington, and the Boston Tea Party. It was also the center of the abolitionist movenment during the 19th Century. Unfortunately, it can't be backed up due to the fact that there is only one place where blacks live (Roxbury), and the fact that Boston is just a seemingly unfriendly place for Blacks and Hispanics.

3 - NYC: It might not hold much significance to the Revolutionary war, but it's where Washington retired, at Fraunces Tavern. The only significance was that it was a great immigration hub, as well as a financial center.

4 - Baltimore: I was going to Baltimore at five, but when I heard about the War of 1812, I believed it. Also where the Star-Spangled Banner was written. Imagine if we was a part of Canada, eh!

5 - DC: The only historical significance is nothing more than the fact that they founded that city just so Washington could keep his slaves because since Philadelphia was the original US capitol, Washington had his slaves working for him. A lot of people protested it, and it came to the point where Washington was forced to look for a new capitol, which was close to his estate, Mount Vernon, in Virginia, on the swamplands of the Potomac. Also nothing more than a storage place for our historical documents (the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence belong in Philadelphia, not in DC!!! :mad: :mad2:) , as well as a cesspool of corruption.

1. Philadelphia (one-time capital of the US)
2. Philadelphia (Declaration of Independence, Continental Congress, Constitution, Ben Franklin, etc...)
3. Philadelphia (Ok you get the point. Richest history in the US and still contributing)
4. NYC (If only because of the symbolism of capitalism and US economic might)
5. Boston (Legendary history, but not too much of significance to report in the last 200 years)
6. Baltimore (Historical port city, 1812 certainly adds to the mystique)
10. Washington, DC (I dunno, just doesn't seem to be in the same "class" as the rest. Maybe it's too "new" to the context of the others)

Honorable Mentions: Richmond, Charleston, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and heck everywhere between DC and Boston. Even LA for "modern" historical significance.

Even if a city is at the bottom of this list, it is still no insult to that city, as these five cities are perhaps the most important among any in American history. However, I think many of you are making the mistake of implying that history stopped after 1812 or the Civil War. Given that, I'd say Washington has the most historical significance. Sure, what happened in Boston, Philly, Baltimore and NYC in the early years are the reason for Washington's existence, the policies and decisions that have been made in Washington have shaped the entire nation for the last two centuries. Also, saying that Baltimore is a bunch of old rowhouses or just a poor city is completely unrelated to his historical merit, as well as just plain false. Baltimore is the ONLY city in the United States to which the entire nation owes its existence at a single moment in time - and you can even make the argument that this occurred twice - once during the War of 1812, obviously, and, disputedly, during the Revolutionary War. But most importantly, Baltimore was home to many of the early movements in American history. Contrary to today, Baltimore was a very activist city in its early years, and many of its mob riots were actually the birth of political movements. Nevertheless, all of these are minor details to the fact that all minds from which liberty and democracy spawned came from all the cities in question (save for DC, although Georgetown may have existed, I guess), each city was EXTREMELY important, and still remains important to American history.

Oh yeah, and don't forget that Baltimore was the second largest city in the US until 1860 as well as the second largest point of entry for immigrants in the US during the 19th and early 20th century. StevenW may like Baltimore because it is his home, but so do millions of other Americans, in a way. More Americans can trace their roots back to Locust Point in Baltimore than any other place, with the exception of Ellis Island, of course.

And give reasons for your answers if possible.

Baltimore
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington


New York (it is the most important city in the world)
Washington (it is the second most important city in the world)
Boston (Paul Revere)
Piladelphia ( all the other historical guys)
(note Boston and Phily are interchangable)
Baltimore(historical but should not be on the list)

New York (it is the most important city in the world)
Washington (it is the second most important city in the world)
Boston (Paul Revere)
Piladelphia ( all the other historical guys)
(note Boston and Phily are interchangable)
Baltimore(historical but should not be on the list)


This is about Historical Importance. Not the Most Important Cities.

Actually, Baltimore was second largest city in the US until Philadelphia consolidated into its county in 1854---the part of Philadelphia I live in, Spring Garden, is virtually downtown, but it was a separate city in 1850---in fact it was the 8th largest city in the US! 5 of the top 20 largest cities in 1850 were what are now part of Philadelphia (Phila city itself then being #3 behind NYC and Baltimore)!

Baltimore was a great seaport and industrial center---BUT Philadelphia was the greatest industrial city in the world (yes, tis so even to our Manchester England friends) in 1900.

Richmond more important than historic Baltimore?

QUOTE=Service Lift Attendant]Here goes:
1.) New York. Plenty of pre-20th century history...but more happened in NYC since 1900 than in all the other cities combined.
2.) Washington. It's where the government operates: where history (of a more academic nature) happens. It's not thrilling, but it's still history.
3.) Boston. It was crucial to the start of the American Revolution, which Philadelphia finished. However, Boston was immensely important as a Abolitionist agitator in the Civil War. I hate to use the word "agitator" but, Boston's smug self-righteousness in being on the side of justice and equality hastened the war and its conclusion. Oddly, Boston has always maintaned poor race relations, but that's another history....
4.) Philly (barely behind Boston by the slimmest of margins) the city of the Constitution! The city that finished what Boston started. The city that was the second largest town in the British Empire at one point!
5.) Baltimore. A big port town. Star Spangled Banner. Go Ravens...Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, and SF are far more important to the history of the US than Baltimore is.[/QUOTE]

Hmm maybe you guys don't understand how history works

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I

You take the first piece of history out, the others fall. (Don't happen.)

Without Philadelphia's might (with Boston) the rest wouldnt have happened, the English would have taken over, and this country may not have happened. We're talking about the might of a large population which turned this war.

Your father might make the millions, but without your grandfather, he wouldn't be here, and neither would you.

Hence:
Philadelphia, Boston (tie)
NYC
Washington
Baltimore

If not for Washington, the capitol would be elsewhere.
If not for New York, we would not be as powerful.
But without Boston/Philadelphia, we would not BE.

Hmm maybe you guys don't understand how history works

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIII
III
I

You take the first piece of history out, the others fall. (Don't happen.)

Without Philadelphia's might (with Boston) the rest wouldnt have happened, the English would have taken over, and this country may not have happened. We're talking about the might of a large population which turned this war.

Your father might make the millions, but without your grandfather, he wouldn't be here, and neither would you.

Hence:
Philadelphia, Boston (tie)
NYC
Washington
Baltimore

If not for Washington, the capitol would be elsewhere.
If not for New York, we would not be as powerful.
But without Boston/Philadelphia, we would not BE.

Thanks for the lesson, but by your logic Baltimore should at least be tied with Philly and Boston since they were the city that turned back the war of 1812, which was our second war of independence. If we had not turned back the British army (which ran straight through and occupied DC) and the British Navy, then the British would have marched north through Philly and onto DC and reclaimed America as their own.
DC should be the least important since if it were not for congress meeting in NYC and Philadelphia, the plans for DC would never have been laid.

every city has some kind of history, unless you live in....

1. Providence
2. Tulsa
3. Jacksonville
4. Charlotte
5. Erie

Providence has no history? I guess you learn something new every day......

so educate us...

so educate us...

Why don't you educate yourself before making baseless claims?

What, a city founded in 1636 has history? Nahhhh. Home of Samuel Slater and Moses Brown? Nahhh, they didn't do anything important. Slater didn't memorize a couple hundred pages of complex mechanical blueprints of the Awkwright textile factory machines that Britain guarded so fiercely. They certainly didn't open the first textile factory in North America and single-handedly start the Industrial Revolution in their Pawtucket facility. Nor could a place like Providence have direct trade with China starting in 1704. Nor could it be the first place in the Western Hemisphere to have its charter grant complete religious freedom to all citizens in 1648.

Yeah, not much history in little Providence.

Thank you.

Uh, OK I'm not going to get out my history books, but based on what you posted, if these complex mechanical blueprints already existed at the Awkwright textile factory, and they were being fiercely guarded by the British, then is it really fair to say that Samuel Slater and Moses Brown "single handedly started the Industrial Revolution in their Pawtucket facility?" Sounds like that's not giving the Awkwright textile factory or the British their fair credit. Unless you meant to say that they brought the Industrial Revolution to the US by memorizing someone else's blueprints. The Industrial Revolution was not just a US thing.

The religious freedom thing is pretty cool though. Now we're all free to not go to whatever church we choose.

Yes, Slater stole plans by memorizing them and brought the Industrial Revolution to North America - it had already been well underway in the UK for some 80 years.

I still think its amazing that Providence had direct trade with Chinese ports from 1704. Boston, New York, Baltimore and Philly cant make that claim.