At Mayor Michelle Wu’s inauguration on Monday, she spoke about the city’s achievements during her first term: increasing affordable housing, expansion of pre-K seats, helping residents save money on energy bills, and making several bus routes fare-free.
She also told the story of Henry Knox:
2026 marks four years and two months since our administration took office—and 250 years since our nation was born. 250 years ago on this very day, a young man—the son of immigrants, and a BPS alum—was standing on the banks of a half-frozen river, focused on getting home to Boston.
Henry Knox was on a mission to bring cannons from Fort Ticonderoga—over 300 miles—to Dorchester Heights, where, with command of the high ground, General George Washington and the patriots could liberate Boston from British control. But between Knox and his city lay a nearly impossible obstacle for 60 tons of cannons to cross: The Hudson River, thawing in the sun, its surface a mosaic of splintering ice.
Without the cannons, he knew Boston would never be free. Without Boston, he knew the revolution would fail. So, over the next few days, Knox and his men crept out onto the ice in the coldest part of the night, drilling holes to let the water flow up from below and freeze over in thickening layers. Faced with an impossible challenge, he did what Boston has always done best: With a blend of creativity and courage, imagination and will, he forged a path forward.
Watch Wu’s inauguration speech starting at 46:30:
