The year was 1770. Tensions amongst British soldiers and colonists had begun to rise due to increasing attempts by the King of England at imposing taxes persists. In an attempt to maintain order, British soldiers were deployed in such large numbers that they weighed one soldier for every man, woman, or child in the colony.
On a wintry evening in March (March 5 to be exact), a British patrolman was on duty near where the current Visitor Center now sits (on the south side of the Old State House). He got into an ill-advised argument with an individual walking by and a fight ensued. The location of this fight and the ensuing events is marked via a ring of cobblestones just outside of the Old State House.
If you are situated on the east side of the Old State House (the side with the balcony), the ring of cobblestones is situated within a small traffic island near the busy intersection. No other marker exists. Now, for complete historical accuracy, this marker should “technically” be in the middle of the intersection, however, I think that the city of Boston likely wished to avoid any further potential Boston Massacres of overly anxious tourists wishing to get a picture of the site.
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As the fighting ensued, onlookers began to jump to the aid of their fellow citizen by throwing ice and snow at the lone British soldier. Seven nearby sentries, hearing cries of help, came to the soldier’s aid and attempted to surround him in protection. In all the commotion, church bells began to go off signaling either “danger” or a “fire.”
Now what triggered the following events is somewhat debated.
Was it because of the church bells that someone yelled, “Fire?” (Note: In Colonial times church bells were used as a fire alarm.) Or was it the result of an onlooker’s scream after one of the soldier’s weapons accidentally shot into the crowd while getting pushed to the ground? Irregardless, from this split-second event, all the British soldiers began firing in self-defense upon the attacking crowd. In the end, five men died that night. Just twenty-one days after this tragedy, Paul Revere began selling colored prints depicting cold-blooded soldiers lined up in single-file and firing up innocent civilians.
This event more than any other leading up to the American Revolution provided the spark for the birth of our nation. This infamous event is reenacted every year on March 5 on this site.
In a bit of irony after the incident, each of the British soldiers involved were tried over charges of murder. Five of the seven men were acquitted after a successful defense by well-known patriot and future 2nd President of the United States, John Adams.
For more information on the Old State House.
Update: In summer 2011 the city of Boston renovated the locale of the marker for the site of the Boston Massacre. Due to concerns over numerous tourists attempting to take photos of the aforementioned marker that was previously in the middle of a traffic island, the marker was moved to just under the balcony on the east side of the Old State House.
- Website: http://www.bostonhistory.org/?s=osh
- Address: 206 Washington Street, Boston, MA.
Marker is located on a traffic island on the east side of the Old State House (the side with the balcony). - Cost: Free to view the marker situated outside of the Old State House. Museum admission is: Adults $7.50; Seniors (62+) / Students $6; Children (Ages 6-18) $3
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