In 1770 British troops were quartered in Boston, to the intense
annoyance and indignation of Boston inhabitants. Disturbances
between citizens and soldiers were frequent, and many quarrels
arose. On the night of March 5 in that year the disturbance became
so great that the troops, at that time under command of Captain
Preston, fired upon the unarmed citizens in King (now State) street,
causing the death of Crispus Attucks, a colored man, Samuel Gray and
James Caldwell, who died on the spot, and mortally wounding Patrick
Carr and Samuel Maverick. At the burial of these slaughtered men the
greatest concourse ever known in the colonies flocked to the grave
in the Granary Burying Ground. All traffic ceased. The stores and
manufactories were closed. The bells were tolled in all the
neighboring towns.
Daniel Webster said, that from the moment the blood of these men
stained the pavements of Boston streets, we may date the severance
of the colony from the British empire.
The citizens demanded the removal of the troops, and the request was
complied with. For many years the anniversary of this day was a
solemn holiday in Boston, and religious and patriotic services were
publicly held.