Today In History March 5th
On March 5, 1770, a deadly confrontation known as the Boston Massacre took place in Boston, Massachusetts. Tensions had been mounting between the American colonies and British authorities over issues such as taxation and the presence of British troops in the colonies.
The incident began when a group of colonists began taunting and throwing snowballs at a group of British soldiers stationed in the city. The soldiers responded by firing into the crowd, killing five colonists and injuring several others.
The event outraged the colonists and fueled anti-British sentiment. It became a rallying cry for the American Revolution, which would eventually lead to the colonies breaking away from British rule and declaring independence.
The British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre were later tried for murder, with their defense led by future President John Adams. Several of the soldiers were acquitted, while others were convicted of manslaughter.
The Boston Massacre remains a significant event in American history and is remembered as a turning point in the growing tensions between the colonies and the British government.
Sources:
Britannica.com
History.com
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