"1773" Boston Tea Party V-neck shirt and Tank top - For hardcore history folks

Updated May 20: We are out of all sizes in the v-neck shirts and tank tops and will reprint more within seven to ten days. Go ahead and place your order, and we'll send your shirt as soon as we have it. Thanks for your support of these great shirts.

"Great t-shirt! I love the details in its simplicity and design. I can see people asking me for what it stands. And as with other History Nerd shirts I’ve ordered in the past, they come in a decent variety of colors and in a comfortable 60% cotton/30% poly blend . . . most comfortable and long wearing."

If you know the event this design refers to, then you understand why I wrote "for hardcore history folks." If you're not sure what this is all about, you'll find an explanation below.

The shirt: We’re offering your choice of fabrics and colors:

• Black cherry V-neck shirt: Printed on a 4.3 oz polycotton shirt, slightly distressed on the neckline and hemline, and contrast dyed to create vivid hues.
• Warm grey V-neck shirt: Printed on a super soft  4.2 oz polycotton shirt from Next Level that features a long flattering cut and a deep V. 
• Dark grey tank top: Printed on a 3.7 oz burnout fabric that provides a unique look and feel. Great stretch and softness.

Note that the $2 price difference for the shirts is our higher wholesale cost; there is no additional margin.

Click on the "See size chart" button below to view the measurements before you select your size. Based on the feedback from buyers, one of whom characterized it as more of a "feminine fit," you might want to order a size larger than you would if you were ordering a standard men's/unisex shirt.

Comes with a hang tag that includes a quote from one of the participants and more background on the event.

The "1773" Boston Tea Party design is also available in a crewneck shirt, crewneck sweatshirt in brown, cap, as a handmade bracelet and sticker.

Shipping: $4.95, regardless of the number of shirts you order, so order one and all the rest ship for free.

Mission: Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

The historic event behind the design

There's no name or other explanation on the shirt, which is why we labeled it "for hardcore history folks." We asked our Facebook community to explain the history behind the design: 

"The Tea Act of 1773 gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in America.

On the evening of December 16th, 1773, Bostonians, following the lead of the Sons of Liberty and disguised as Narragansett or Mohawk Indians (sources disagree), boarded three ships and destroyed 342 chests of East India Company tea, which they dumped in the harbor.

The destruction of the tea was the final straw for Parliament and led to the Intolerable Acts of 1774. These closed the port of Boston, instituted a military government, quartered troops among the population, and allowed all British officials charged with a crime to stand trial in Great Britain instead of the Colonies.

Many years later George Hewes, a 31–year–old shoemaker and participant, recalled "We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard. And we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water."

Thanks to Chuck Burks, Nicole René Shults, Dennis Conley, Janet Raychouni, and Kevin Nelson for their contributions.

As Larisa Moran Prinz commented, "Be a rebel and stump the average person."

Thanks, too, to Alex, Renee, and Shauna for sharing their photos. (The V-neck in the photo of Shauna was a special order. If you're interested in a V-neck the next time we print these, let us know.)

All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.