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.