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BOSTON -- Faneuil Hall Marketplace, whose roots date to before the American Revolution, is arguably the most fun and historical shopping complex in the United States.
Faneuil Hall's historical importance cannot be denied -- just ask the National Park Service rangers on hand to conduct tours and answer questions.
The original Faneuil Hall was built in 1742 by a wealthy merchant named Peter Faneuil (pronounced FAN-yuhl), who envisioned a food market near the docks, so merchandise could be brought directly from ships. The two-story building featured market stalls on the lower level, where shoppers could buy meat, poultry and vegetables, and a second-level meeting hall, where public policy was debated and put to a vote.
The building burned in 1761, but it was reconstructed two years later -- just in time for the American Revolution.
During those divisive years, American patriots were frequent speakers on the second floor of Faneuil Hall. The...