Boston Massacre

On 5 March 1770, a fight broke out between British soldiers and colonists in Boston, Massachusetts. The event known as the "Boston Massacre" was one more step leading to the American Revolution.

Following imposing several new taxes which were viewed as unfair by colonists since they had no representatives at the British parliament, King Georges III sent military troops in view of enforcing this new legislation.

The presence of British soldiers actually produced the opposite effect and tensions grew between them and Boston residents. On 5 March 1770, 8 soldiers fired on a mob of 300, killing and injuring several Americans.

While the subsequent trial will show that most of the British soldiers had acted in self defense, the Boston massacre will be of great use for the cause of Independence due to the engraving of silversmith Paul Revere.

The other interesting aspect is that the lawyer who defended the British soldiers was actually an American Patriot, yet he promised the British would get a fair trial. By acting with such integrity and respect for the law, he made a name for himself. You guessed it! It was John Adams, future second President of the U.S.A.