Greater Boston
Actual proof that ours is the greatest city in the cosmos
Photo: Les Wood
I
f you ever doubted that Boston is the center of the universe, go to Summer Street near the corner of Washington Street and look down. That's where you'll find a bronze medallion in the sidewalk commemorating the comment by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1858 that Boston was “the hub of the solar system.” Take that, New York. Marcus
Shhhh! Holmes was a doctor and poet who
also coined the term “Boston Brahmin” and
whose son became a U.S. Supreme Court justice, proving his point about how smart we all are.
also coined the term “Boston Brahmin” and
whose son became a U.S. Supreme Court justice, proving his point about how smart we all are.
Shhhh! He was actually talking about
the Massachusetts State House
a few blocks from here, believe it or not.
the Massachusetts State House
a few blocks from here, believe it or not.
Shhh who knew
Fact is, Oliver Wendell Holmes was being satirical when he called Boston the hub of the solar system, pointing out that Londoners and Parisians also considered themselves to be at the universe's center. Then again, he was comparing Boston with London and Paris, at the time the capitals of empires. ...
6 Summer St.
at Washington Street, Downtown Crossing
Boston,
MA,
02110
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43 Bus, Downtown Crossing/Orange Line, Downtown Crossing/Red Line, Downtown Crossing/Silver Line, Park Street/Green Line, Park Street/Red Line, SL5 Bus
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