04/19/2025
Today marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Minute Man National Historical Park is doing an excellent job of covering the events of this day in real time. We encourage you to follow along!
Over the next eight years, both the NPS and state/local commissions will hold special events covering the anniversaries of various events. It’s a great time to be a geek on the East Coast!
April 19, 1775, 9:30 a.m.
Fighting erupts at Concord’s North Bridge! As the Militia advance, the British Regulars fall back to the eastern side of the bridge and scramble to resist. When the colonial column arrives within 80 yards of the British position, three shots suddenly ring out from the regular soldiers. The first balls whistle past the militia and land in the river but are soon followed by a ragged volley of musketry from the remaining British soldiers. Luther Blanchard, a fifer from Acton cries out that he has been wounded. Captain Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer of Acton fall dead at the head of the column.
Shocked by the sudden gunfire, Major John Buttrick of Concord screams out the fateful order "Fire! For God's sake, fire!" This is the first time colonial militiamen are ordered to fire on British soldiers.
In all, two colonists are killed and four wounded. Twelve British soldiers are hit, three of them fatally. Four out of eight British officers present are wounded. The fighting is over in seconds as the rest of the British soldiers break and run towards Concord center.
Image description: The British column faces the Militia on opposite sides of the North Bridge. Smoke rises above the column, initiating shots fired.
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