Crispus Attucks was a man who was not treated equally. Like all slaves, he was judged for what he looked like and not for what he was inside.

Crispus Attucks was born in 1723. His exact birth date cannot be found because Attucks was a slave on a big plantation in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was one of many slaves who worked in the fields and did farm work. As Attucks got older, he wanted freedom. This was not good for Attucks, because daydreaming about freedom took him away from his work and that made his master mad.

When Crispus Attucks was about sixteen, he was sent to Deacon William Brown in Framingham, Massachusetts, near where he used to be a slave. There his jobs were buying cattle, working in Deacon's Chandler shop, and traveling to look for costumers. What Attucks really wanted to do was work on boats. When Attucks was 27, he went on a business trip to Boston where he applied for a job as a whaler. He got the job, too! Attucks chose a boat that rarely returned home near Deacon's house, just in case the Deacon searched for him. Every so often, Attucks' boat would land near Framingham. Then he would sneak out and see his family.

On March 5, 1770, fire bells rang in Boston. Everyone came running out of his or her house to see where the fire was. There was no fire! The bells were a calling for patriots to come to the town square. Attucks went to the fishing docks and came back with about 55 other Patriots. British Captain Preston and his eight troops were standing firm in the Town Square. Unafraid, the British troops made no move. Just then, someone shouted "Fire!" A soldier named Montgomery shot and killed Crispus Attucks.

The Boston Gazette reported, "The body of the slain Crispus Attucks lay in state in Fanueil Hall until, along with three other victims of the Boston Massacre, he was entombed in a common sepulcher as thousands bared their heads at the cemetery."

In 1888, a monument was built on Boston Common. It faces Tremont Street. When the monument was dedicated, a poet named John Boyle O'Reilly read a poem called Crispus Attucks:

"Honor to Crispus Attucks, who was leader and voice that day; The first to defy, and the first to die, with Maverick, Carr, and Gray. Call it riot or revolution, his hand first clenched at the crown: His feet were the first in perilous place to pull the King's flag down: His breast was the first one rent apart that liberty's stream might flow; For our freedom now and forever, his head was the first laid low. Call it riot or revolution, or mob or crowd, as you may, such deaths have been seed of nations, such lives shall be honored for aye."

Courtesy of Mrs. Darlene Neumann, Sherwood School.

Another speaker at the ceremonies said, "It was the sacrifice of the lives of Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Samuel Maverick, and Patrick Carr that brought about this preliminary victory of the American Revolution."

A black history site includes Crispus Attucks.
Crispus Attucks
The Murder of Crispus Attucks
The Boston Massacre
Crispus Attucks