The Boston Massacre, or the Incident on King Street, occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, on 5 March 1770, when nine British soldiers fired into a crowd of American colonists, ultimately killing five and wounding another six. The massacre was heavily propagandized by colonists such as Paul Revere and helped increase tensions in the early phase of the American Revolution (c. 1765-1789).
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Definition
Timeline
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10 Jun 1768The Liberty, a sloop owned by Boston merchant John Hancock, is seized by British officials leading to widespread riots in Boston.
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1 Oct 1768British soldiers arrive in Boston in the wake of several riots.
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22 Feb 1770In Boston, 11-year-old Christopher Seider is shot and killed by Ebenezer Richardson, a Loyalist.
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5 Mar 1770The Boston Massacre occurs; nine British soldiers fire into a crowd of American colonists, killing five and wounding six others.
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30 Oct 1770Captain Thomas Preston is acquitted by a Boston jury for his role in the Boston Massacre.
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27 Nov 1770 - 4 Dec 1770Trial of the eight British soldiers who participated in the Boston Massacre. Defended by John Adams, six soldiers are acquitted and two found guilty of manslaughter.
