The Boston Massacre/Crispus Attucks Memorial stands in Boston Common, commemorating the colonists killed by British soldiers on March 5, 1770. Its 25-foot statue honors Crispus Attucks, a formerly enslaved sailor who was the first person killed in the shooting. Read the inscription, including a quote from John Adams, and take time to consider how the deaths helped fuel resistance to British rule. The memorial is an easy stop to combine with a walk along the Freedom Trail or a visit to the Massachusetts State House.
The shooting of March 5, 1770
The memorial recalls a deadly confrontation between colonists and British soldiers near the Custom House. Tensions had been growing during the military occupation of Boston. After an altercation involving a colonist and a British private, a crowd gathered and threw clubs, rocks and snowballs at the soldiers.
A British soldier was struck and briefly fell. Eight soldiers then fired into the crowd. Three colonists died immediately, and two others later died of their wounds. Crispus Attucks, a formerly enslaved sailor of African and Wampanoag descent, was the first person killed. Accounts differed over whether he had been a bystander or a leader among the protesters.
Attucks and the memorial’s meaning
Attucks was later remembered as a martyr in the cause of American liberty. The deaths became a rallying point for resistance to British rule, although the event itself unfolded amid a complicated dispute between soldiers and colonists.
John Adams defended the soldiers at their trial. Six were acquitted, and two were found guilty of manslaughter. His words are included at the memorial, connecting the site to the legal proceedings as well as to the people who died. Take time to read the inscription and consider both the loss of life and the event’s place in the growing revolutionary movement.
FAQ
Where is the Boston Massacre/Crispus Attucks Memorial?
It is in Boston Common, in Boston.
Who does the memorial honor?
It commemorates those killed in the Boston Massacre and is dedicated to Crispus Attucks, the first person killed in the shooting.
What happened at the Boston Massacre?
On March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists. Three people died immediately and two later died of their wounds.
When is a good time to visit?
A weekday or early morning is suggested for fewer crowds and easier photos.
