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Charlestown, Massachusetts Charlestown a part of the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1628, Charlestown was originally a separate city and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it was annexed by Boston in 1874. Charlestown is located northeast of Boston proper on a peninsula extending southeast between the Charles River and the Mystic River. It now has a substantial Irish-American population. The geographic extent of Charlestown has changed dramatically from its colonial ancestor. Landfill operations have expanded Boston into the Back Bay, lowered hills, and expanded Charlestown, eliminating the narrow Charlestown Neck that connected the northwest end of the Charlestown Peninsula to the mainland. On June 17, 1775 the Charlestown Peninsula was the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill was near the northwest end of the peninsula, close to Charlestown neck and about a mile from the Charles River. The battle actually took place on Breed's Hill, which overlooked the harbor and the town and was only about 400 yards from the end of the peninsula. The city, including its wharfs and dockyards, was destroyed by fire during the battle. The Bunker Hill Monument now stands in Charlestown in commemoration of the battle. Charlestown was the birthplace of inventor Samuel F. B. Morse. External link
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