1773 Facts for Kids

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	17th century – 18th century – 19th century
Decades:	1740s 1750s 1760s – 1770s – 1780s 1790s 1800s
Years:	1770 1771 1772 – 1773 – 1774 1775 1776

The year 1773 was an important time in history, especially for the American colonies. It was a year filled with growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. These events would soon lead to a major war for independence.

Key Events of 1773
- The Boston Tea Party
Notable Births in 1773
- William Henry Harrison
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Key Events of 1773

One of the most famous events of 1773 happened in Boston. It was a bold act of protest that showed the colonists' strong feelings against British rule. This event is known as the Boston Tea Party.

The Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a major protest against British taxes. It took place in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16, 1773. This event played a big part in starting the American Revolutionary War.

Why the Tea Party Happened

The British government had placed taxes on many goods sold in the American colonies. One of these taxes was on tea. The colonists felt this was unfair because they had no representatives in the British Parliament. This idea was called "taxation without representation." They believed they should not be taxed if they had no say in the government.

The British East India Company was also given special rights to sell tea in the colonies. This made it hard for colonial merchants to compete. Many colonists were angry about these new rules and taxes.

What Happened at the Tea Party

On the night of December 16, a group of colonists took action. They were known as the Sons of Liberty. Many of them dressed up as Native Americans. They went to Griffin's Wharf in Boston Harbor.

There, three British ships were docked, filled with tea. The Sons of Liberty boarded these ships. They then threw 342 chests of tea into the cold waters of Boston Harbor. This act was a direct challenge to British authority and their unfair taxes.

The Impact of the Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party sent a clear message to Great Britain. It showed that the colonists would not accept taxes they felt were unjust. The British government reacted strongly to this protest. They passed new laws to punish Massachusetts. These laws were called the Intolerable Acts by the colonists.

These harsh laws only made the colonists angrier. They brought the colonies closer together in their fight for freedom. The Boston Tea Party is seen as a key moment that helped spark the American Revolutionary War.

Notable Births in 1773

The year 1773 also saw the birth of people who would become important figures later in history.

William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison, who would later become a U.S. President.

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773. He would grow up to become a military officer and politician. Later in his life, he served as the ninth President of the United States. His presidency was the shortest in U.S. history.