Harvard Square

From the very beginnings of Cambridge History, Harvard Square has held immense significance. Originally fortified with a palisade fence, it was the core of the original puritan settlement. It went on to be the commercial, religious and educational center of the city for the next 200 years. At the time of the Revolutionary War, many American troops were stationed nearby and Harvard Square was the site of many historic events.

One of the most historic events to happen in Harvard Square occurred right before the war and was one of the catalysts of the war. On September 1, 1774 after being informed that towns had been removing their gun powder from The Provincial Powder House in Somerville, which held both gun powder belonging to individual towns and provincial government, British troops seized the gunpowder. The following day thousands of people came to Cambridge Common and Harvard Square to protest the seizure of gunpowder and what had become known as the “Intolerable Acts.” These acts had been passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and involved the Regulatory Act, which abolished most elected officials and imposed the Mandamus Council. This new council consisted of men appointed by The King. Judge Lee, Judge Danforth, and Lieutenant Governor Oliver were the three men from Cambridge appointed to the Mandamus Council.

The thousands of protesters in Harvard Square demanded the resignation of Lee, Danforth and Oliver.  Judge Lee and Judge Oliver stood on the steps of the Courthouse, located in Harvard Square, and resigned.

This significant event is arguably one of the first conflicts of the Revolutionary War.

           

 

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