Overlooked by locals who just breeze on past it, this round disk in the ground near busy State Street MBTA station is a memorial to the famous Boston Massacre. It is a stop on the famous Freedom Trail.
On March 5, 1770, British troops were surrounded by a group of colonists who were protesting taxes in front of the Old State House. Possibly accidentally, possibly not. But regardless, the troops fired on the crowd. Five men were killed. Three Americans died instantly: rope maker Samuel Gray, mariner James Caldwell, and Crispus Attucks. Samuel Maverick, a 17-year old apprentice ivory turner, was struck by a ricocheting musket ball at the back of the crowd and died early the next morning. Irish immigrant Patrick Carr died two weeks later.
Depictions, reports, and propaganda about the event heightened tensions throughout the Thirteen Colonies, notably the colored engraving produced by Paul Revere.
The event was heavily publicized by leading Patriots such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. The crowd eventually dispersed after Acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry, but they re-formed the next day, prompting the withdrawal of the troops to Castle Island. Eight soldiers, one officer, and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder, and they were defended by future U.S. President John Adams. Six of the soldiers were acquitted; the other two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences. The two found guilty of manslaughter were sentenced to branding on their hand.
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