A Deadly Snowball Fight That Changed History (The Boston Massacre) | History Traveler Episode 257 

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I’m afraid for our country that doesn’t teach our history so thank you so much! I can’t go there so I really appreciate this.❤️🇺🇸

This episode was extremely enjoyable. Props to the tour guides who narrated a part of this episode. There passion bleeds through my cell phone screen. Much appreciated. Thank you!!

One of my favorite time periods, the birth of our nation. It's bittersweet and ironic as we are now living in the midst of our terminal nation.

It is shameful I have not been to Boston when I minored in American History is college! The museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So much to see there and such an engaging experience!

Amazing information that one doesn't learn in school. More details need to be shared as you are doing! Thank you!

I've been to Boston and seen where the Boston Massacre took place. I loved being in that city, seeing where the country began. Every American should go there and see.

That was an awesome episode! I had never heard the entire story of what happened at the Boston Massacre. Thank you for sharing and educating me and others. Love your videos.

Very enjoyable. Lucy is amazing! She’s a natural!

Thank you so much for your channel and commentary. I would show your channel to middle school and high school students. Superb! I live in Massachusetts and need to take a historical staycation soon!

Again I have to say how much I appreciate the accuracy of Fallout 4 and their landmarks in game.

I love this! I’m fell behind on your videos, so I’m playing catch up. Great to see you added my favorite era.. thank you.

Thanks for another great field trip! :)

Our son and daughter both live in Boston - we love visiting, there’s so much history!

I'm glad I tripped over this channel.

I can definitely relate to the unfair taxation…

Lucy's the best!

Thanks for visiting my hometown, great work. Great story telling.

Really enjoyed this episode. Thank You

Another great video!

A thing of note I read somewhere and I don't know if you've mentioned it in a video yet... Another way of protesting the Crown was to refer to yourself as a Native. A way of furthering that protest was to dress similarly to Native Americans, or frontiersman types. Basically an outward display showing you are completely ideologically removed from the Crown. Prior to the Tea Party incident occurring people would don Native American dress, put feathers in their hair/caps, etc. (I'm pretty sure The Yankee Doodle song was originally sung by British Regulars to insult the Colonials over stuff similar to this before it was comped by us and turned into a defiant song.) So when the Tea Party happened and the colonials dressed like "Indians" while throwing the tea into the bay, it was one additional little "F You" to The Crown. I've always thought that was quite hilarious. It's also interesting to go back and find the engravings and stuff prior to the war and try to find the people in the art with feathers or Native American type stuff on. Sidenote: the taxes were one thing, but I read the blockade of Boston after the Tea Party incident is what really started p!ssing people off.

The revolution war may have been a gap in your channel but it is also a huge gap in my knowledge. Thank you!

Excellent video. Did you happen to ask Diedre & Lucy where their Boston accents went?

Great as always btw you know that James otis, john hancock, samual adams and others are buried very close to were you are

Our Mall in my home town of Danvers Ma is names Liberty Tree mall after that tree

I've noticed that i don't see ANY videos about Philadelphia. Are they upcoming? Philadelphia was a pretty big deal during the American Revolution.

God Bless the United States of America

Love this! As much as I adore the Civil War and WW2. Colonial history is just as if not more amazing to me. Glad you're doing this.

Great episode! Love the old state house museum and the contents inside. Amazing pieces of artifacts from the birth of our country. Although modern buildings have taken over, still awe inspiring to see the place where the massacre too place. Lucy and Dedre were great in their telling of the history of that place. So glad you are doing a series on the revolutionary war. I'm an early American history buff and this is my favorite timeline to look at 👍

What a great job you are doing! I was born and raised on Cape Cod, Ma., and have been to Boston many, many times. On my late mother's side, our family dates all the way back to John Adams. The only thing I love studying more than our Civil War is our Revolutionary War. Every American should learn our nation's history because it is amazing! Every time I'm in Boston and walk 'The Liberty Trail', I get goose bumps! Walking past the 'Old North Church' and wondering what it must have been like when Paul Revere and William Dawes went on their 'Midnight Ride'. The Revolutionary War and the events that led up to it are something every patriotic American should read up on because it's fascinating.

It was quite amazing to see these actual artifacts and to hear the stories about the Tea Party and the Massacre. Also, to see the old state house amongst the modern day buildings was quite a contrast. I couldn’t help thinking what if our Founding Fathers could somehow come back and see that scene for themselves and what they would think about how Boston looks today!

I have only once seen where the grim meaning of “no taxation without representation” is explained. It meant that as in the terrible, recent enough and ongoing treatment of Scotland and Ireland British could do whatever they wanted to those without representation in parliament, no rights whatsoever, leaving them absolutely dependent on English will a terrifying threat. Why this is basically never emphasized in our histories I do not know. It explains everything. Men like Franklin and Washington tried hard for representation and peace till there was no option but independence

Awesome, more Revolutionary War episodes please.

The Founding Fathers would weep (and be really pissed) if they saw what America would be like in 2022.

I always wonder how relics like these survive through the ages until they make their way into a museum display. This was quite interesting. Well done!

Born in Boston in 1960 it's a great place to live, it's incredible to think back in a time when this happened, the thought of being ruled by some king who never stepped foot here was becoming unbearable, the taxes, the kings mark on all the best trees he wanted for his ship masts, it reached the boiling point and I don't blame them, 200 years later and I myself don't take shit from anyone, guess their attitude is built in my DNA, plus I used to pitch so I would've loved to bean some redcoat with a snowball. 🇺🇲

Very interesting to me as a Brit I,'ve never heard of the Boston massacre. So Thank you for your series always nice to learn a bit more.

Thank you so much for focusing on the Revolutionary War time period now. I think your timing is perfect as so many people in our country want to tear down and eliminate our history; especially vilify our inception as a country. To know the importance of where we came from (and our ancestors) is crucial in order to understand and appreciate who we are (supposed to be). Thank you again! :)

Used to live in Massachusetts. Neat history all around there. Hope you will being visiting Lexington and Concord. I did not know Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. During the bicentennial.

What? Doesn’t everyone binge your channel? Here I am again! 😊

Lucy Pollock did an excellent presentation. Her smile and use of her hands tell a great story.

Being from the UK I am not necessarily in agreement with the colonists view of things, but the history of the American Revolution really is fascinating. David McCullough's 'John Adams' and '1776' s really shine much light onto the period. Thanks for all your videos. They are always fascinating and insightful.

Boston is a great city. So full of history. I look forward to more videos about Revolutionary Era history.

Taxed every time you turn around 🤔🤔🤔 sounds familiar. Come so far but haven't gone very far at all it seems.

Nice JD, I highly recommend watching the HBO Series, "John Adams" for lots of great background on everything you discussed here, including the Massacre and his defense of the soldiers

Really pumped about you covering the Revolutionary War. I was just in Boston three weeks ago doing the Freedom Trail. It was awesome.

Very awesome video. Are you going to start a series of videos on the American revolution JD? The tour guide Lucy was very good at explaining things.

I am a big history buff, and I am so enjoying all of your series, on everything! I started learning more about the Revolutionary war, and I can’t get enough info on it. Are they even teaching the kids in school about this, at the present time? It is so important to learn about how the USA was developed, and about the Patriots role in ridding us of England’s tyranny. Students need to learn the facts of everything that happened at the time, and examine it from the standards of the time period.

I absolutely love this channel. You can see and feel the passion put into these episodes. Keep up the amazing work here!

JD, I'm looking forward to this series. This is the bedrock of our founding principles, that so many people have taken for granted or just don't know about. I hope people become educated on why this wonderful country was formed.

Really excited for the rest of this American Revolution series JD.

This Is Why it is So Important We Protect Our History Imagine Gettysburg Filled With A Banks Gas Stations And Walmart Parking Lot And Antietam Battlefield Turned Into A Shopping Center I am Glad There are some Historic Buildings Still Left But Wish Kept Some Of The Historic Places Natural Just For More Perspective Idea Instead Of Seeing A Giant Building And Hearing Traffic

Thanks...would love to see more on the "American Revolution " I sit and drink coffee in the comfort of my home and travel all over

Thank You JD for the great video. I used to work at colonial Williamsburg in 1978. I wanted to visit Boston and walk the freedom trail. Now I am happy that you got there for me. And, I appreciate you covering the Revolution. It is my favorite time in history. Keep up the great work.

One of my most favorite places in the US. I love Boston so much. I want to move back there sooo bad. But it’s so damn expensive.

Saved!! Gonna watch what I know will be GREAT content this evening. 🖤 thanks for the video drop!

Fun fact I am related to Charles Carroll who signed the Declaration of Independence

Thank you JD! I love that you love the history of our beautiful nation so much. Your videos are always absolutely fascinating! I'm spellbound while watching each one!

It'd be nice to see a "on location" at Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, Brandywine, Valley Forge, Trenton, Yorktown etc

I have learned more history from you than I learned in school... Thanks

Very interesting and informative video J.D .Thank you.

Loved the old state house. Can't wait for more colonial/American Revolution videos! Thanks so much!

I love that you are doing the American Revolution. I have been reading books on all the founding fathers and am somewhat obsessed with it at the moment.

JD knew very little about the Revolutionary War. I’m learning. Thanks for your video. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄

Hey you finally made it to my state!🥳 Born and raised in Somerville.

Great video JD. Like the content around the Revolution. Went to Boston a few years back and every stop along the freedom trail is amazing and so much historical information to consume🇺🇸

JD when we're you in Boston since I flew in and drove into Boston. It was during week problem I had was parking. But when I left on a Saturday I realized that crowds downtown was light. For your subscribers there a two books out John Hancock and Sam Adam's that are great to understand what going on in Colonial Boston.

Big bank building on one of the most historic sites in America brought to you by local politicians who loved kickbacks more than the country itself.

I was just going to comment on your last video that I'd like to see colonial history next! Please do more revolutionary war battlefields and other historic locations. Don't forget the south! Most Americans don't realize how important the south was during the revolution. Charleston, Waxhaw massacre, battle of Guilford Courthouse, Cowpens, and of course, Yorktown!

Suddenly the fish of Boston Harbor began sticking their little pinkie fin out as they swam through the tea-laced water.

JD.. George Harrison said it best , I'm the tax man declair the pennies on you eyes... Get it. (Its a beatle song ) THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA.................. Guess you can tell I'm really old..

Sad how BOSTON didn't PERSERVE the old buildings or at least replicate them..But all MODERN BUILDINGS...N9 SENSE of HISTORY..That liberal BOSTON for you

I have been waiting for this video for over 2 years. !!! Finally it’s time to see Boston in your channel and am super excited! I sincerely hope you cover the Freedom Trail walk and USS Constitution museum. When you are in Boston there is so much to do :)

Way to work, JD! Great to see you're in New England. I'm from southern New Hampshire just over the border, where General John Stark took command of then marched the 1st NH down to Breed's hill to contain the British regulars. So much history around here, that's why I stay! Keep fighting the good fight!

JD, we are still called Taxachusetts for a reason. Someone should have bought you a "Sam Adams", while you were in Beantown.

I love your channel, I'm a huge history nerd but I still learn a lot from your videos. Thanks for covering the American Revolution, looking forward to seeing more!

In the 18th century an 18yr old is not a child or even an adolescent. It’s also interesting that John Adams successfully defends the British soldiers.

PLEASE PLEASE do more American Revolutionary War content. I love your content, but I agree that the Revolution has been a big blind spot on your channel. There are so many more tangible stories you can tell on this subject.

Thanks for your presentation on this. I appreciate you actually going to the historical site and explaining the events, the context and the surroundings of the time.

YES!!! Revolutionary War history!!

Thank you for your new video , this is a phase of the Revolution i didnt know about before, where the seeds were planted and into what would become a new nation.

The mob was 110% guilty in the incident on King Street in front of the state house. All of Captain Preston’s troops (who were mostly very young men barely into their twenties) were acquitted and found to be not guilty. It was none other than Boston’s own John Adams that got them off the hook. These young fellas were practically kids that had only ever done guard duty and had never seen combat. They were scared out of their wits amidst a swiftly growing crowd of violent, angry drunkards and pocket-picking lowlifes who lingered down by the docks. Attucks himself already had a somewhat seedy past. He was a longshoreman, a job which had a notorious reputation for the lifestyle attached to it of rowdiness, fast living, boozing, whoring, etc. The entire incident was started by unruly youth in the area (the North and South ends of Boston at that time were known for their high number of gangs) taunting the sentries on duty by throwing things at them and insulting them. Anyone today with a career in law enforcement if they were to take up an unbiased study of the so-called “massacre” would very easily see that this was a clear-cut case of justifiable shooting on the soldiers’ part, and that’s assuming that it was done deliberately. It more than likely wasn’t and the court transcripts easily prove this. Try to also understand that these were single shot muskets that, for even an experienced veteran, took around fifteen to twenty-five seconds to load each individual round. Captain Preston’s troops were practically kids who had never even seen combat. They’re standing mere inches from a growing crowd of angry, screeching locals, mostly from the lowest ranks of society. This is hardly the absurd depiction by Revere of sneering, bloodthirsty, trigger-happy thugs or the cold, battle-hardened brutes portrayed by later 19th century lithographs. On the contrary, it was actually the total opposite. The mob were the callous ones armed with bricks, clubs, sharp objects, etc. Just read the court transcripts. In Eric Hinderaker’s “Boston’s Massacre”, we see that the mob was also gathering hard pieces of ice which they covered with thin layers of snow to appear as harmless snowballs. Court records also reveal that there were people from nearby rooftops and higher level windows throwing rocks and other things at the troops. And, although scant, there is even some evidence that a shot or two was fired from one of these buildings.

John Adams did so much more than you gave him credit for. He was not just a lawyer. He was a patriot. The Declaration of Independence would never have been signed if not for him. As a lawyer he fought for EVERY PERSON no matter who have a fair trial. Read the John Adams book or watch the HBO series. ❤

Maybe for a future episode for Christmas you could film the cite at Trent, Princeton where Washington won the battle against the Hessians, including traveling along the Delaware River where the Continental Army crossed.

Visitor Experience Superviser. So basically a head tour guide. George Carlin would be killing it in today's society.

I copped onto the true horror of being in an "occupied" country, especially when you mention how a British soldier treated that teenage boy. Thanks also for giving us a tour of the Old State House museum.

It's so cringe to see an office building on a site that should be a historic landmark. Like you really couldn't find anywhere else to build a generic and meaningless building???

3:38 one other point for those who might not be Americans or were taught it in school, we were not allowed to trade with any other country but England. They set our prices of how much we could sell to them and we could only buy products not produced in America from England at THEIR prices.

I had the pleasure of visiting Boston in the early 90's while on a port visit from my ship and remember that the Boston Massacre marker was indeed in the middle of the road then. It was in the middle of a triangular concrete curb next to where you see the crossing signal light. Actually did just what was said and took a picture from the middle of the street. lol

Look at that high capacity assault musket 😮 weapons of war like that shouldn’t be on display in Boston

Really enjoyed this video, it's pretty important to know what happened back then.

Great episode! “The tremor that began the earthquake that was the American Revolution!” Great analogy!

Great job JD. Now you must come back to Boston and walk the entire Freedom Trail. There are several stops that would make outstanding videos. I suggest late spring or early summer for the best weather possible for your experience.

Every video he says he's short on time and he only puts out a 20 min video....must be nice to get paid to do nothing.

Amazing video JD. When I learned about the Boston Massacre recently I was taught that the Captain yelled out “hold your fire” or something to that effect and the last guy down the line only heard “fire”. I also find it interesting that the colonists complained about taxes yet they never payed nearly enough to what British citizens payed in Britain.

Anyone who doesn’t see that we are reliving what these gents went thru…. Yikes… British are still here in the form of the “UN”

Excellent video, so interesting and rarely told. Thanks

Great episode! Looking forward to all the Boston vids.

Surprised you had enough time to do this video. They should fire this guy.

While you were in Boston I hope you went to check out old iron sides she has nothing to do with the revolution but while in Boston it's a must see. As always enjoy your videos.