Today in History: 05 March 1770

USA: War of Independence – Boston Massacre

On this day in 1770, the Boston Massacre took place and became an important incident in the lead up to the American War of Independence. The massacre was really something of a ‘beat up,’ with five men being killed when British troops fired into a crowd that was harassing them and throwing objects at them.

Also of major interest in this incident, was the court case in the trial of the British troops, as  John Adams (second president of the USA) defended the British troops in their trial.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre

Also, a newspaper report:
http://www.archive.org/details/bostonmassacre00good