Ep 1. Freedom Trail

In the first episode of season 4 of A Taste of History, host Walter Staib explores the historical and culinary highlights of Boston's famous Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long trail through downtown Boston that passes by sixteen historically significant sites. As Walter walks the trail, he shares interesting facts and stories about each location, highlighting the role each played in the American Revolution and the eventual creation of the United States.

The episode begins at the Massachusetts State House, where Walter meets with the Secretary of State to learn about the unique history of the building. From there, he takes a stroll down Park Street and visits the Granary Burial Ground, which is the final resting place of many Revolutionary War heroes, including Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. Walter shares the story of Revere's famous midnight ride and how it ultimately led to the American victory at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Next, Walter visits Faneuil Hall, which was once a popular meeting place for revolutionaries like John Hancock and Samuel Adams. The building now houses a bustling market and is a must-see for any visitor to Boston. While at Faneuil Hall, Walter explores the historic Quincy Market and samples a delicious lobster roll, a Bostonian favorite.

As the episode continues, Walter visits the Old North Church, which was where the famous signal of Paul Revere's ride – two lanterns lit in the church's steeple – was hung. The signal was a warning to Americans that British troops were on their way to attack by sea. From there, he goes to Copp's Hill Burying Ground, which is Boston's second oldest cemetery. Walter recounts an interesting story about the cemetery's most famous occupant, Increase Mather.

Finally, the episode concludes with Walter visiting the USS Constitution Museum. The USS Constitution is a famous warship that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812. Walter gets a tour of the museum and learns about the ship's history, including how it got its nickname, "Old Ironsides."

Throughout the episode, Walter samples various delicious foods in historic Bostonian restaurants, including clam chowder, oysters, and Boston cream pie. He also visits a historic bakery and tries his hand at making Revolutionary-style bread.

A Taste of History season 4 episode 1 is a fun and informative tour of one of America's most historic and famous cities. Walter Staib does an excellent job of highlighting all the important landmarks along the Freedom Trail while also showing off the delicious food that Boston has to offer. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in American history or food culture.