<human>:  What is the history of the Boston Celtics?
<bot>: The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1946, the Celtics have won 17 championships in their storied history, including 8 straight titles between 1959 and 1966. The Celtics were led by legendary player and coach, Bill Russell and fortified by other Hall of Famers such as Bob Cousy, Garnett, Bird, and McHale. They are known for their impressive defense, and in the 1980s they formed a dynasty under the leadership of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, winning 3 championships in a row. The team cemented their status as one of the NBA's greatest franchises by winning their 17th championship in 2008, led by stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.