Boston Massacre Site

Memorial marking the bloodshed of March 5, 1770

Arlan Fronseca

Quick Facts

Location:

Congress and State Streets

Significance:

Site of first bloodshed in the American Revolution

Designation:

Freedom Trail Site

MANAGED BY:

City of Boston

Beneath the Old State House balcony, a circle of granite pavers mark the site of the Boston Massacre. On March 5, 1770, an unruly group of colonists taunted British soldiers by throwing snowballs and rocks. Firing upon the crowd, the British killed five colonists, including Crispus Attucks. Boston lawyer and future U.S. President John Adams successfully defended the soldiers in court against murder charges.

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