Archive.fm

Weird Island

17. FORGOTTEN HISTORY: The First Violence of the American Revolution

History books seem to have forgotten that Rhode Island was responsible for the first bloodshed of the American Revolution. On June 9, 1772, over a year before the Boston Tea Party, Rhode Islanders attacked, boarded, and burned the British HMS Gaspee--sparking the unification of the colonies against the crown.
Broadcast on:
08 Jun 2021

Controversy and Opinions on the Gaspee Affair: 

Additional Episode Source Material: 

History books seem to have forgotten that Rhode Island was responsible for the first bloodshed of the American Revolution. On June 9, 1772, over a year before the Boston Tea Party, Rhode Islanders attacked, boarded, and burned the British HMS Gaspee--sparking the unification of the colonies against the crown.