The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre occured on March 5, 1770. Colonists gathered in a crowd outside the Boston customs house. The colonists shouted insults at the British redcoats or "lobsterbacks." The colonists began throwing snowballs, oyster shells, and chunks of ice at the soldiers.

As the crowd grew the British soldiers panicked. They fired into the crowd, killing 5 people. Samuel Maverick, a 17 year old white youth, and Crispus Attucks, an African American sailor, were among the first to die.

The colonists protested the incident calling it "The Boston Massacre."

The soldiers were arrested and tried in court. They were defended by John Adams, who believed the soldiers deserved a fair trial. Adams argued the soldiers were provoked and the jury agreed. The heaviest punishment any of the soldiers received was a branding of the hand.