Charleston was named a leading city in the America250 planning law.
The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 identified locations of historical significance for anniversary activities and specifically listed Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Charleston, South Carolina, as leading cities.
Charleston’s inclusion reflects its major role in colonial and Revolutionary history. The city, founded as Charles Town in 1670, became an important Atlantic port and a center of political conflict during the American Revolution. South Carolina also supplied key revolutionary leaders and saw major military campaigns.
Charleston is sometimes confused with nearby Savannah, Georgia, another important colonial port and Revolutionary-era city. Savannah was historically significant, but the America250 planning law’s named South Carolina leading city is Charleston.