The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773. This December of 2023 is the 250th Anniversary of that momentous occasion.
American colonists were frustrated with Britain for their policy of “no taxation without representation” and dumped 342 chests of tea in Boston harbor from Griffin’s Wharf.
The Stamp Act was passed in 1765, taxing colonists on printed paper items including newspapers, playing cards and legal documents including wills. The colonists knew this was a bad idea and tried to explain such to Britain, who ignored the colonies. The people in the colonies suggested that we should have a delegate in Parliament, so that if they suggested such a terrible idea in the future, we could explain it to them. After all, they were on the other side of the Atlantic and had no idea how life was lived in the colonies, and perhaps just needed an education.
The Crown and Parliament refused, and the colonists suggested no taxes would be paid. This angered the British, who said taxes must be paid as the colonists were British citizens and subjects of the Crown. The colonists then asked for a delegate, or representative, in Parliament. The Crown and Parliament also refused, saying no representative would be allowed as the colonists were not citizens as they lived in colonies and not England proper.
The colonists argued the British government can’t have it both ways, and the term “no taxation without representation” began, with a hard lesson taught to Parliament with the Boston Tea Party. These and other events led to the War of Independence.
SAR President General John Dodd proclaims the Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary on December 16, 2023 should be a time to “destroy tea” in celebration in whatever manner one wishes, by imbibing, sharing or tossing of tea with general merrymaking.
See History.com for more information about the Boston Tea Party. Or do your own web search for additional info.