Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March 5: Boston Massacre

On this date in History ..... 1770:

The Boston Massacre takes place. Colonists were angry about the British troops that had been sent to Boston to enforce the various tax laws & Townshend laws. British troops, being tormented by the angry crowds, fired into the crowd and killed 5 people. It was labeled a ‘massacre’ because the 5 killed were civilians, and it became a profound effect leading to the Revolution. The funerals of those killed were turned into a great patriotic demonstration.

The British captain and his troops were tried for murder, with John Quincy serving as one of the defense lawyers. The captain and 6 men were acquitted; 2 were convicted of manslaughter. Roughly 30 days later, the laws were repealed on April 12.


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