The City of Boston celebrated one of its most famous historic events this weekend on a milestone anniversary.
Saturday marked the 250th anniversary of the famous Boston Tea Party, and the city held several events to commemorate the protest, including a reenactment of the dumping of the tea that helped spark the American Revolution.
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Actors dumped tea into Boston Harbor on Saturday night to commemorate the iconic Boston Tea Party exactly 250 years before.
“It’s the 250th anniversary,” said tourist Karen Feeley. “I can’t think of a better place to celebrate it.”
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PHOTOS: Boston celebrates 250th anniversary of the Tea Party
On Dec. 16, 1773, fed up Bostonians frustrated with British rule stormed three British ships and dumped 340 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.
“This is what we love,” said Lynda Aber from the Daughters of the American Revolution. “We love our history. We love the whole story of how the revolution began.”
The seminal event in American history is widely seen as a critical moment leading up to the Revolution.
“After the destruction of the tea this kernel of an idea of independence began to percolate in the hearts and minds of the people,” said Evan O’Brien from the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. “That’s what the Boston Tea Party did.”
On Saturday night, actors threw about 2,000 pounds of tea into the water. In 1773, it was more than 92,000 pounds.
“I love the revolution,” said Anthony Turco of Boxford. “Learned about it in third grade, just thought it was a good thing to go to.”
The ceremony capped off an afternoon and evening in which Boston went back 250 years with actors recreating the discussions, debates and anger locals felt at the time with taxation at the hands of the English, without proper representation in government.
“So many people, so fun, great energy,” said Annie Lepage of Foxborough. “Loved it.”
Other events on Saturday:
FANEUIL HALL ON DEC. 16
The 250th Boston Tea Party Anniversary and Reenactment will take you through the years of the Boston Tea Party. This event runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. While this event is sold out, screens will be placed outside Faneuil Hall for the public to watch the presentation.
DOWTOWN CROSSING ON DEC. 16
People will gather outside the Old South Meeting House as the town crier brings "news to the street." The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE ON DEC. 16
From 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., a reenactment of the Meeting of the Body of People will take place at the Old South Meeting House. This event is sold out.
Following this event, the public can march from Old South Meeting House to the Harborwalk, where "Griffin's Wharf once stood."
ATLANTIC WHARF ON DEC. 16
Dumping of the tea! That's what the Sons of Liberty will reenact in the same location where the Boston Tea Party happened 250 years ago. This event is free, but seating is on a first-come-first served basis.
