Today, we commemorate an important date as part of the America 250 celebration— the Battles of Lexington and Concord—the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Following Paul Revere’s infamous midnight ride, the early hours of April 19, 1775 marked a turning point in modern history. British troops, under orders to seize colonial weapons in Concord, marched west from Boston. But thanks to early warnings from Revere, Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott, the colonial militias were ready. At sunrise, shots rang out on Lexington Green—forever remembered as "the shot heard 'round the world.” Although outnumbered at first, the Patriot militia regrouped and pushed the British back to Boston, marking an early and morale-boosting American victory. These events sparked a full-scale revolution and laid the foundation for the freedom we celebrate today. Our friends at American Battlefield Trust launched this immersive virtual reality production that puts you in the center of the groundbreaking events at Lexington and Concord: https://youtu.be/9EALDQQ7vYE?si=U-QcGFvlCL2YAQmt As part of the #America250 commemoration, we’ll be sharing a series of “On This Day in History” posts highlighting key events, people, and places that mark pivotal moments of our journey to independence. (fb)

Today, we commemorate an important date as part of the America 250 celebration—the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride! This event lit the fire of revolution and a pivotal moment—and the beginning of our journey through America’s founding story. On this day in 1775, Paul Revere embarked on his legendary midnight ride—warning the countryside that British troops were advancing. After organizing a signal from the Old North Church—“One if by land, two if by sea”—Revere crossed the Charles River and rode through the night to alert fellow Patriots in Lexington and beyond. Joined by William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, the alarm was raised... and the spark of revolution was lit. The next morning, the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. As part of the America 250 commemoration, we’ll be sharing a series of “On This Day in History” posts highlighting key events, people, and places that mark pivotal moments of our journey to independence. (fb)