Crispus Attucks’s ancestors were African and
Native American. He was born in about 1723 and probably grew up in a Natick
Indian settlement. His father is thought to be Prince Yonger, a slave who was
brought to America,
while his mother is thought to be Nancy Attucks, a Natick Indian. He may have
escaped from slavery in 1750. Probably he became a sailor on whaling ships. By 1770 many
people in Boston, Massachusetts,
were unhappy with British rule and the British soldiers living in their town.
There were two regiments in the city because of protests by the colonists
against unfair taxes. Citizens did not like the troops walking the streets nor
the two canons aiming directly at the town hall.
On March 5 a crowd gathered to challenge British troops. Townspeople began throwing snowballs at the troops. From the dock area, a group of men, led by the very tall Attucks, came forward, armed with clubs. Some say Attucks hit a soldier; others said that he was "leaning upon a stick.” As the Americans waved their weapons and shouted, the British fired their weapons. Attucks was shot twice. He was the first to die, but four others were also killed and six were injured. His body was carried to Faneuil Hall, where it lay with the other five victims until a public funeral on March 8. Attucks was named a hero. It is said that 10,000 people joined his funeral procession. Citizens immediately demanded the withdrawal of British troops.
Attucks was the only victim of the Boston Massacre whose name was widely remembered. In 1888 Attucks was honored with a monument in Boston. In history, the name Crispus Attucks stands for freedom, justice and equality.
Bibliography
"Attucks, Crispus." Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2010 <http://school.eb.com/all/elementary/article?articleId=352803
On March 5 a crowd gathered to challenge British troops. Townspeople began throwing snowballs at the troops. From the dock area, a group of men, led by the very tall Attucks, came forward, armed with clubs. Some say Attucks hit a soldier; others said that he was "leaning upon a stick.” As the Americans waved their weapons and shouted, the British fired their weapons. Attucks was shot twice. He was the first to die, but four others were also killed and six were injured. His body was carried to Faneuil Hall, where it lay with the other five victims until a public funeral on March 8. Attucks was named a hero. It is said that 10,000 people joined his funeral procession. Citizens immediately demanded the withdrawal of British troops.
Attucks was the only victim of the Boston Massacre whose name was widely remembered. In 1888 Attucks was honored with a monument in Boston. In history, the name Crispus Attucks stands for freedom, justice and equality.
Bibliography
"Attucks, Crispus." Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2010 <http://school.eb.com/all/elementary/article?articleId=352803