The British commonly refer to what Americans call the Boston Massacre as the Incident on King Street.
This event, a significant confrontation in the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War, occurred on March 5, 1770, in Boston. The different nomenclature reflects the contrasting perspectives of the British authorities and the American colonists regarding the nature of the clash.
Origins of the Name "Incident on King Street"
The term "Incident on King Street" emphasizes the British view of the confrontation, portraying it more as an unfortunate occurrence rather than a premeditated or widespread slaughter, as implied by the word "massacre." It took place on King Street, which was a prominent thoroughfare in colonial Boston.
Key aspects of the confrontation include:
- Date and Location: March 5, 1770, in Boston.
- Participants: It involved nine British soldiers facing a crowd estimated to be between three and four hundred people.
- Actions Leading to Conflict: The crowd was actively harassing the soldiers, both verbally and by throwing various projectiles.
- Outcome: In response to the harassment and projectiles, the British soldiers fired into the crowd, shooting several individuals.
This difference in naming underscores the deep political and emotional divisions that were escalating between Great Britain and its American colonies during that period.
