On December 16, 1773, a large gathering of colonists had a heated exchange at the Old South Meeting House in Boston. The subject was what to do with the three British ships (the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver) that were loaded down with tea and moored at Griffin’s Wharf.
Samuel Adams said the phrase, "Gentlemen, this meeting can do nothing more to save the country." Later, this was interpreted as a signal (still under debate) for a group of 30 to 130 men, some dressed in Mohawk warrior disguises, to board the ships three dump all 342 chests of tea into the water. The Boston Tea Party (as it was renamed in 1834) was over in three hours.
The exact location of Griffin's Wharf has been disputed over the subsequent years. A plaque is located at this address and affixed to the Independence Wharf building to commemorate the occasion. However, this blogger makes a pretty convincing argument for the 500 Atlantic Ave location (the Intercontinental Boston building).
