Boston Massacre

Boston Massacre in Review

In the modern society, the Boston Massacre is popularly use as a comical description of the Red Sox and Yankees Rivalry. Its origin is in no way related to the two giant football teams though. This was an incident that sparked rebellion in some of British colonies that culminated the American Revolution.

It can be remembered that on March 5, 1770, when a crowd of Bostonian civilians started throwing snowballs towards the group of British soldiers just to torment them. This incited the brawls between the two groups which sparked rebellion. There was an attempt to calm the crowd but in retaliation to the civilians, the soldiers fired into the crowd. A total of six civilians died in the hands of the British soldiers on that ill fated day plus several more wounded. Evidences by historians tried to determine whether the British troops are innocent or guilty. Unfortunately, they only have to rely in the testimonies of eyewitnesses, many of which conflict with each other and the British troops account. An actual account of the event was reported on the Boston Gazette and Country Journal in March 12, 1770.

Person behind the Boston Massacre Fame

It was known to many that Paul Revere, an American craftsman born on January 1, 1753 was the one behind the famous Boston Massacre. Revere became popularly known for his engravings of “The Bloody Massacre in Boston or the widely reproduced “Boston Massacre”. In his lifetime, he produced a number of political engravings and was actively involved with the Sons of Liberty. He later died on May 10, 1818.

On the other hand, another Bostonian artist claims that he was the one who penned the original image of the Massacre. This man is Henry Pelham. The question now is whether Revere designed his engraving of the Boston Massacre or was it really a product of talent by Pelhalm.