• Colonial Boston Map, Faneuil Hall and the Charlestown Navy Yard skyline

    Boston

    National Historical Park Massachusetts

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  • New Bunker Hill Climbing Pass

    From April 8 to June 30, for safe occupancy requirements, all visitors who climb the Bunker Hill Monument must first obtain a free climbing pass from the Bunker Hill Museum at 43 Monument Square. For groups of 10 or more, please call 617-242-5689.

Cast Your Vote!

President Madison asks you to "Cast Your Vote!"

"Cast Your Vote!"

To commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and give people nationwide a fun and engaging way to experience it from their homes, the National Park Service has unveiled its free, new interactive on-line game, "Cast Your Vote!" "Cast Your Vote!" gives people across the US the opportunity to act as Congressmen or women, deciding whether or not to declare war on Great Britain. Sometimes referred to as the "Second War for American Independence," the War of 1812 was fought on the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, the entire East Coast through Louisiana, and the Great Lakes region, as well as Canada, involving US and British citizens and Native Americans. After hearing multiple points of view, visitors can imagine themselves as Congressmen in 1812 and literally cast their vote for or against ongoing war. The goal is to get people - children, families, and adults - from all 50 states to visit "Cast Your Vote!" to learn about the War of 1812 and cast their votes.

"Many people don't know that the War of 1812 was the most narrowly declared war in our nation's history," said Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Boston National Historical Park. "This online resource will help people understand why. We hope this new, free to use, online game will get everyone excited and involved in the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the last time a foreign army invaded the mainland United States."

To decide whether or not the United States should enter the War of 1812, click here to "Cast Your Vote!"

 

Along with Boston National Historical Park, four National Parks contributed to "Cast Your Vote!":

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
National Captial Parks - East
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Natchez Trace Parkway

Did You Know?

Daniel Webster speaking in the Senate chamber.

Daniel Webster was once rebuffed in his effort to speak at Faneuil Hall.  His support of The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 earned for him the enmity of New England's abolitionists, and a worry that if he were allowed to speak, his appearance might spark a riot.  He later spoke without incident.