On 19 April 1775, at Lexington and Concord, American heroes fired the opening volley for American liberty. Our modern day counterparts to the heroes of yesteryear are those who bravely continue in that tradition now, shouldering the immense burden of American liberty on the warfront with Jihadistan.

Concord Hymn
Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, are sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

On 18 april 1775, the military governor of Massachusetts, General Thomas Gage, dispatched a force from Boston to confiscate weapons stored in the village of Concord, and to capture Patriot rebels Samuel Adams and John Hancock at Lexington. Luckily, the Patriots anticipated that move.

In advance, Paul Revere had arranged for warning, though he was captured.

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” —Patrick Henry

Patriot allies William Dawes and Samuel Prescott continued the midnight ride for 22 miles from Boston’s Old North Church to Concord and warned militiamen along the way.

As dawn arrived on 19 April, between 50 and 70 militiamen came to the town green at Lexington to confront the British column. When a few links away from the militia column, the British officer swung his sword, and said, “Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, or you are all dead men. Fire!” Several Patriots were killed and wounded, but none had been ordered to return fire.

However, when the British arrived at Concord’s Old North Bridge, American “Minutemen” fired the “shot heard round the world” as Emerson notes above.

That was the beginning of an eight-year struggle for American independence, a beginning we honor as Patriots Day.

From the Patriot Post.

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