On this day in 1773, a group of Massachusetts colonists, some disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded three British merchant vessels in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water.
The “Boston Tea Party,” was mounted to protest the Tea Act of 1773. The bill had been enacted by the British Parliament with the aim of saving the faltering East India Co. by lowering tea taxes and granting the firm a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade. Many colonists viewed the Tea Act as another example of tax tyranny imposed from London. The raid proved to be a key event in the unfolding of the American Revolution. Samuel Adams, an American patriot leader, organized the tea party with about 60 members of his underground resistance group the Sons of Liberty. This act of patriotism later led to the calling of the first Continental Congress and ultimately the American Revolution and the War for Independence.
In today’s America we fight our own battle against unfair and unconstitutional taxes and spending. Once again, we have been led by modern-day patriots to form Tea Parties to protest the actions of our government. Sadly, our modern news media and politicians now ridicule and ignore these American patriots. Is this what America has come to? Will we stand idly by and do nothing while our government shreds the Constitution, dishonors our citizens, and leads us into further debt and disgrace?
While the Tea Party turnouts have been encouraging, we will need many more American patriots to show up for these rallies if we want this administration to take us seriously. Thousands and hundreds of thousands have met with President Obama’s contempt but millions will need to march to ensure that he cannot just ignore us or ridicule us as radicals.
Americans unite! And fulfill your duty as citizens to your country and your family. It’s time to send Washington a clear message that enough is enough. Stop the spending!
