Elizabeth

The "Boston Massacre" as it is called, was really not a massacre in the sense that a lot of people were slaughtered (because only five people were killed), it was a massacre in the sense that the British government's authority was not going to be tolerated. This incident marked the beginning of the end for England and its presence in the United States of America.

October 1, 1768 On October 1, 1768 a group of British regulars arrived in Boston, MA. to maintain order. The civilians reacted to the redcoats as if they were invaders by taunting them through name calling, spitting, and fighting. The people of Boston had gained control of the reigns of power and prevented the soldiers from carrying out their duties. During the next eighteen months tension mounted between the two sides.

March 5, 1770 On March 5, 1770, the Twenty-Ninth Regiment came to the relief of the Eighth on duty at the Customs House on King (now State) Street. A large and taunting crowd of civilians met the soldiers, led by Captain Thomas Preston. Captain Preston was unable to disperse the crowd and as they chanted "Fire and be damned" he ordered his troops "Don't Fire!" With all the commotion, the soldiers probably did not hear his orders and they opened fire on the crowd killing