Over the last few years, we have seen ports closed for labor strikes, COVID, and the Ever Given getting stuck sideways in the Suez Canal. Every time a port is closed, it disrupts the flow of materials for a whole region and creates hardships for vast areas and communities that count on that port to supply them with all kinds of things.

But can a closed port be a world history changing rallying point? It was in 1774. In fact, closing the port of Boston led to a turn in public opinion that brought together the residents of the Massachusetts Bay Colony – separatists and loyalists alike – as well as the other 12 colonies. It was a catalyst leading up to the American Revolution.

Listen to this episode of This Week in Business History as host Kelly Barner shares the very business-driven history of the Boston Port Act, which took effect on June 1, 1774.