1773 Boston Tea Party

Leading up to the American Revolution, a group of Massachusetts colonists known as the  Sons of Liberty  staged a midnight raid to protest a new British  tax law.  The  Tea Party  demonstrators were organized by Samuel Adams.

A group of Bostonians threw tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the British parliament's Tea Act of May 1773. (Getty Images)

Britain's Tea Act of 1773 lowered the tea tax for the East India Company and created a monopoly over the American tea trade.  The  Sons of Liberty  disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians, raided three ships docked at the Boston Harbor and dumped hundreds of crates of tea into the water.

The British Parliament was furious with the colonists' insubordination and destruction of British property.  In 1774, Britain instated the Intolerable Acts to establish military rule over the Massachusetts colony.  The colonists responded by creating the Continental Congress to discuss American independence from Britain.

A new museum dedicated to the Tea Party revolt   is currently under construction in Boston.

Also on This Day:

1987 Riots Follow South Korea's Election

As news updates reported that the ruling party led in votes, students demonstrated in South Korea, demanding to witness the ballot counting.  Protesters claimed the presidential election was riddled with fraud.

2008 Adam Walsh Case Closed

Twenty-seven years after his abduction, police closed the case of Adam Walsh, stating that Ottis Toole killed the boy.  In 1981, 6-year-old Adam was kidnapped and murdered in Florida.  John Walsh, Adam's father, has dedicated his life to helping other families and victims of violence, and bringing justice to criminals.  John Walsh became the host of " America's Most Wanted."

Famous Birthdays

1775 Jane Austen

1901 Margaret Mead

1961 Bill Hicks

1963 Benjamin Bratt

1988 Anna Popplewell

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