The key historical moment involving the Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers shot and killed several colonists during a confrontation in Boston. This incident escalated tensions between the American colonies and British authorities, becoming a rallying point for colonial resistance against British rule. The massacre was heavily publicized by revolutionary leaders like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, who portrayed it as a brutal act of oppression. It fostered a growing unity among colonies and propelled the push for independence, contributing to the sentiments that ultimately led to the American Revolution.