Crispus Attucks (c. 1723 – March 5, 1770) was an African American man widely regarded as the first martyr of the American Revolution. Born into enslavement in Framingham, Massachusetts, he escaped from bondage and became a whaler and dockworker in Boston. Attucks was involved in the tense environment of colonial Boston, where frustrations with British rule were escalating.
On March 5, 1770, during a confrontation between colonists and British soldiers, Attucks was part of a crowd that was agitated by the presence of the troops. In a chaotic moment, he was shot and killed by the soldiers during what became known as the Boston Massacre. Attucks's death galvanized anti-British sentiments and he emerged as a symbol of resistance to oppression. His legacy is honored as a significant figure in American history, representing the fight for liberty and justice, especially within the context of African American history.