Great Broad Street Riot

(Celebrate Boston) Boston was a huge seaport, and eventually a melting pot. Irish immigration began in the late 1700s. Many Irish immigrated to Boston during the Potato Famine that occurred between 1845 and 1852 in Ireland. There was a lot of friction between English and Irish Americans, which smoldered in Boston for more than 100 years. This friction erupted quickly into what was known as the Great Broad Street Riot of 1837. Arguably, this ancient cultural stalemate ended symbolically with John F. Kennedy's victory over incumbent Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., in 1952. The following is quoted from the 1838 Boston Almanac about the event: Continued