Little is recorded of the contributions of slaves and
freedmen in America's fight for independence from British rule. This
book includes short biographies of twelve black Patriots whose name were
recorded--although the number of blacks who fought is believed to be in the
thousands. It was a black man, in fact, who is said to have been the first
casualty of the conflict. Crispus Attucks led the march of protest on
British soldiers stationed in Boston Commons to keep order among the colonists.
Numbers of colonists mostly armed, others with sticks were killed that day by
British gunfire. The event became known as the Boston Massacre.
78 pages. 2002. Reading level:
Ages 9-12
ISBN 13: 978-0-87844-159-4, ISBN 10: 0-87844-159-x, $9.95 (Softcover)