Boston Massacre Sparks American Revolution

On this day in US history, in 1770, a mob of American colonists protested outside the Customs House in Boston. When British soldiers confronted the protestors, a snowball flew from the crowd. It hit Private Hugh Montgomery, leading him to discharge his rifle towards the crowd, which then prompted more of the soldiers to open fire. When the smoke cleared, five colonists had fallen. The tragedy is now remembered as the Boston Massacre, and was one of the events that pushed the American Revolution.