THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD

By our war correspondent WOODEN “liberty poles” were symbols of April 20, 1775 freedom and independence during the American Revolution, often erected by the HE FIRST SHOTS of the Revolutionary Sons of Liberty in town squares across War were fired at Lexington and Concord Massachusetts. Boston’s famous Liberty Tree— yesterday. The battles marked the an elm tree near Boston Common—also served T as a rallying point for patriots and a site of beginning of a historic struggle for independence from Britain by its American colonies. protest against British rule. It was later cut down by British soldiers and American In the early morning light, colonial militia colonists loyal to the British Crown. dared to stand in the path of British soldiers on Lexington Common. The colonists slowed the redcoats’ advance on nearby Concord, the redcoats were coming. British troops where the patriots’ weapons and supplies were detained him before he reached Concord, but said to be stored. he was eventually let go when the fighting began. Outnumbered by British soldiers, the small With the help of fellow patriots, his “midnight group of militiamen began to scatter. Suddenly, ride” spread the word, and is certain to go there was a shot and then both sides opened into legend. fire. The conflict claimed the lives of eight Armed conflict has looked unavoidable for colonists, while British casualties were light. some time. Many colonists regard the British In the patriots’ group was Prince Estabrook, monarchy and its government as tyrannical. an enslaved man, who was wounded in the The British regard many colonists as disloyal, battle, and has become the first African- while Massachusetts was recently declared to American soldier to fight in the American be in a state of rebellion. Revolution. Armed colonists have been called “traitors” Later, hundreds of colonists battled redcoats by the British, whose General Thomas Gage at the North Bridge at Concord, gaining the has been ordered to use force to stop the upper hand. As the British retreated from the colonial rebels from stockpiling weapons. town, they were ambushed. In total, 73 redcoats The patriots have set up Minutemen companies, and 49 patriots were killed. ready to march at a moment’s warning. The colonists likely prevailed because they Massachusetts and the other American had been tipped off the night before the attack. colonies are now at war with Britain. If they Craftsman Paul Revere rode on horseback from win, Lexington and Concord will go down in Boston to Lexington to spread the word that history as the birthplace of American freedom.