The historical significance of the Boston Tea Party, which occurred on December 16, 1773, lies in its role as a pivotal act of resistance against British taxation without representation. American colonists, frustrated by the Tea Act, which allowed a British monopoly on tea sales, protested by boarding three ships and dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This event galvanized public sentiment against British rule and led to punitive measures from the British government, including the Intolerable Acts. Ultimately, the Boston Tea Party helped unify the colonies and escalated tensions that contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution.