Image showing British soldiers firing on an African American man in a city setting.

Public Domain

Why is this image important for African American history?

a) It shows an African American who has escaped from slavery, who was killed running from a whaling ship.

b) It shows the death of an African American who was caught aiding the colonists during the Revolution.

c) It shows the execution of Crispus Attucks, who was sentenced to death for stealing a weapon.

d) It shows the first casualty of the American Revolution, who was an African American.

c) It shows the execution of Crispus Attucks, who was sentenced to death for stealing a weapon.

This image is important for African American history because it depicts the historical event of the Boston Massacre in 1770, during which Crispus Attucks, an African American, was one of the five colonists killed by British soldiers. Attucks' death is significant as he is widely regarded as the first casualty of the American Revolution, and his presence in the protest against British authority highlights the contributions and struggles of African Americans in the fight for freedom and equality during that time.