Lexington Concord

On this day, 250 years ago, shots were fired that would change the course of history.

British regulars marched on Concord to seize colonial military stores.

At Lexington, the colonial militia known as Minutemen made their stand. A shot rang out - no one knows who fired it. Then more shots. The brief skirmish left eight Minutemen dead and several wounded. The British continued their march to Concord

At Concord's North Bridge, the British met a larger force of Minutemen. This time, the colonists stood their ground and forced the British to retreat.

As the British retreated, colonial militia from surrounding towns harassed them, inflicting heavy casualties.

Let’s look at 3 big things about Lexington Concord:

1. The Shot Heard 'Round the World - The skirmish at Lexington is known as the Shot Heard ' Round the World, because of the global significance of the American Revolution and its impact on the fight for independence and democracy worldwide.
2. America's First Victory - The victory at Concord boosted the morale of the colonists and proved that they could stand up to the British army.
3. Guerilla Warfare - The colonial militia used guerrilla tactics to harass the British troops during their retreat to Boston. This unconventional warfare was effective in inflicting heavy casualties on the British. But this strategy would have its limits. Ultimately, George Washington would have the Continental Army trained in the linear tactics of the day so that they could stand toe-to-toe with the British.

And there you have it – America 250 years ago. Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.

Paul Revere's Ride

"Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere."

With these stirring words, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow began the tale of Paul Review.

On this day, 250 years ago, the subject of Longfellow’s poem rode into immortality. Silversmith Paul Revere set out to warn the Massachusetts countryside that British troops were on the march. 

Their objective was to seize military stores that the colonists were stockpiling in Concord, about 20 miles away from Boston.

Revere set out from Boston, spreading the alarm across the countryside. 

Thanks to his warning, the colonial militia was ready. His ride ensured that the patriots were prepared to face the British troops.

Three Big Things

Let’s look at 3 big things about Revere’s Ride

1. He was not alone - Another man, William Dawes, also left Boston with the news. A third, Samuel Prescott, joined them in Lexington. And they passed the word to numerous other messengers who spread the word throughout the countryside.
2. He failed - Sort of. Revere's goal was to reach Concord. But a British patrol stopped and detained him before he got there. But, He did make it to Lexington and warned them. And with help from others, word reached Concord.
3. Not the British - He wouldn’t have cried “The British are coming!” In 1775, the citizens of Massachusetts considered themselves as British too! He likely warned that “The regulars are coming!” referring to the regular troops of the British army.

And a bonus one.

1. Fame took time - His ride was not well known, until Longfellow published his poem in 1861.

So there you have it. April 18th , 250 years ago.

What happened next? Just wait for the next installment of our semiquincentennial minutes.