THE HISTORY DESK / EVENT GUIDE
When Was the Boston Massacre? 5 March 1770
The Boston Massacre took place on 5 March 1770. British soldiers fired into a crowd near Boston’s Old State House. Five people died, including Crispus Attucks.
Dates to keep straight
- 5 March 1770 — The shooting takes place on King Street, now State Street. This is the event described by the quiz clue.
- Later in 1770 — Soldiers face trial. John Adams serves on the defence team. The trials are a separate milestone from the shooting.
- 1775 — Fighting begins at Lexington and Concord. The shooting in Boston preceded the start of the Revolutionary War by five years.
Which date does the clue ask for?
The Boston Massacre is a confrontation in 1770. The later trials address responsibility for the deaths, and Lexington and Concord mark the start of armed fighting in 1775. A clue about John Adams defending the soldiers still points to 1770, but to the legal proceedings.
Try a quick recall check
What clue separates the Boston Massacre from the Battles of Lexington and Concord?
Look for the location and the action. A crowd outside the Old State House points to Boston in 1770. Fighting between colonial militia and British troops at Lexington and Concord points to 1775.