history historic historical event famous iconic important notable well-known america american united states us usa boston tea party destruction of tea at boston harbor direct action civil disobedience defiant act act of defiance colonists colony colonies boston british colony massachusetts east india company controlled tea imported key event pre-revolutionary revolutionary war war of independence american revolution december 16 december 16th resistance movement political protest destroyed overboard ships boston harbor harbor art artwork drawing illustration tea tax tax new england 1773 18th century colorized enhancement - Alamy