On April 19, 1775, fighting in Lexington, Concord, and nearby Massachusetts towns opened the American Revolutionary War and turned a long political crisis into open conflict. After the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts, Patriot leaders organized resistance, while General Thomas Gage tried to prevent rebellion by sending British Regulars to seize military supplies at Concord. Patriot riders and local alarm systems spread warning in time for militia companies to gather. After the first shots on Lexington Green, British troops pushed on to Concord, where militiamen forced them back at North Bridge. The retreat to Boston became a prolonged running battle, and by day’s end New England militia had begun the siege of Boston.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Lexington, Massachusetts · USA