BOSTON —
The 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event on the road to the American Revolution, was marked with a series of events in the city on Saturday, culminating in a reenactment of the destruction of the tea.

On Dec. 16, 2023, the Sons of Liberty stormed aboard the brig Beaver and ship Eleanor to destroy wooden chests of East India Company tea. They dumped more than 300 crates of tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes imposed on the colonies, who did not have representation in Parliament.

Two-and-a-half centuries after that famous act of defiance, reenactors recreated the event at 8 p.m. Saturday near the Harborwalk at 510 Atlantic Ave.

"When history asked Boston in 1773 if we were willing to do what it takes to defend our liberties, we took tea leaves for ink and made the ocean our page," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.

Earlier Saturday, a series of other events were held, including reenactments of events that led to the destruction of the tea.

Elected officials gathered Friday inside Faneuil Hall to kick off the events.

"It's a reminder for all of us, not just here in the United States but all over the world, that democracy is in action: Doing what's right, no matter the odds, for our friends, our families, our homes, our future," Wu said.

"They stood up to injustice and in the process proved ordinary people could rise up and change the world," said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. "They simply had the courage and the fortitude to do it."