April 18 and 19 marks the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord—the day ordinary men changed the world.
America Is Celebrating 250 Years!
Have you heard? In 2026, the USA will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Don’t care? You should!
The road to Revolution 250 really began in 2025, when on April 18 and 19 in 1775, farmers and shopkeepers stood on their village green and stared down the greatest military force in the world.
Keep in mind, these weren’t soldiers… They were ordinary men who believed in something.
Read on to find out just what happened in Lexington and Concord when ordinary men with muskets in hand and freedom in their hearts changed the course of history. I hope you feel like me and want to walk in the footsteps of these brave men!
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Keep reading for a free two-day itinerary and map to help you understand the importance of Lexington and Concord’s 250th.
Before we dive into this post, I invite you to grab a copy of my TRAVEL PLANNER. This 16-page PDF guide helps you organize your trip, from what to pack, to preparing a budget and keeping a schedule.
A Midnight March. A Nation Awakens.
On the night of April 18, 1775, the wind carried more than the chill of early spring through the Massachusetts countryside. It carried whispers of war.
In the dark hours, nearly 800 British regulars stepped silently onto the banks of the Charles River, ferried from Boston to begin a secret march to Concord.
Their mission? To confiscate—and destroy—military supplies hidden by the colonists. Powder, musket balls, tents, canteens, even medical kits… all evidence that war was not just looming, but inevitable.
But the British weren’t the only ones stirring.
From the candlelit rooms of taverns and parsonages, messengers were already in motion. At the Black Horse Tavern in Menotomy (now Arlington), Elbridge Gerry wrote to John Hancock with grave urgency. “Eight or nine officers of the king’s troops were seen… suspected they were out upon some evil designs.”
Hancock, along with Samuel Adams, were staying in Lexington at Reverend Jonas Clarke’s house. That warning would be the first of many, as lanterns flickered, saddles were cinched, and the countryside awakened to the thunder of hooves and the shout of alarm.
The First Shots at Lexington: The Match Is Lit
By dawn on April 19, Captain John Parker’s militia stood in uneasy silence on the Lexington Green. They were farmers, blacksmiths, shopkeepers—ordinary men with muskets in hand and freedom in their hearts.
Suddenly, British troops appeared—red coats blazing in the rising sun.
John Robbins, standing in the front rank, remembered:
“The foremost of the officers cried, ‘Throw down your arms, ye villains, ye rebels!’ Upon which… the officer ordered their men saying, ‘Fire, by God, fire!’”
In a thunderclap of musket fire, eight men lay dead, Robbins among the wounded. Shot through the neck, his jaw shattered, he survived to bear witness. The Revolution had begun.
Revolutionary War Road Trip: If you’re planning to visit Revolutionary War sites, don’t miss the under-rated Battle of Stony Point in New York! It’s a hidden gem.
The Stand at North Bridge
As the British marched toward Concord, townspeople sprang into action. Supplies were hidden in haylofts, buried in fields, or rushed to safety. Thaddeus Blood, roused from sleep by Sergeant John Barritt, joined his militia company to draw ammunition at the courthouse.
He later remembered the rising sun catching the glint of British bayonets as they advanced:
“They made a noble appearance in their red coats and glistening arms.”
From neighboring towns like Lincoln, men arrived to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their fellow patriots.
By mid-morning, the confrontation at North Bridge became the second clash of arms. As British troops withdrew from the bridge, the colonists advanced. Shots were exchanged.
Two patriots fell. But the British were driven back. For the first time, American blood had been spilled in defiance—and the British had retreated.
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A Running Fight All the Way to Boston
What followed was a brutal, chaotic retreat. Militiamen, firing from behind stone walls and trees, turned every bend in the road into an ambush. At a small rise near the Lexington/Lincoln line, Captain Parker’s reformed militia struck again:
“I ordered our militia to meet them at the same place… and we did. We killed several, wounded more… then retreated and met them again further down the road.”
By the time the British limped into Boston, nearly 300 had been killed or wounded. And they weren’t alone.
They were followed—shadowed—by 5,000 men who had answered the call. Within days, that number would swell to over 20,000. The Siege of Boston had begun.
Reverend David McClure later rode the road to Lexington:
“Dreadful were the vestiges of war… Several dead bodies, principally British, lay on and near the road… The houses were all perforated with balls… Such were the dreadful trophies of war.”
Patriots’ Day: Why This April 18th Matters
Two hundred and fifty years ago, farmers and shopkeepers stood on their village green and stared down the greatest military force in the world. Not because they were soldiers. But because they believed in something.
Patriots’ Day, observed every April in Massachusetts and Maine, marks this momentous day in American history—the day ordinary citizens became the first to fight for independence.
The 250th anniversary is more than just a date. It’s a call to remember that freedom is not a foregone conclusion. It must be protected, preserved—and understood.
So don’t just read about history. Walk it. If you need inspiration for places to visit to honor our nation’s 250th birthday, read my Revolution Road Trip page. Make sure you check out the colonial town in New Castle, Del. that will host the 250th anniversary of Separation Day in June of 2026.
You can also visit the Lexington 250 site or Visit Concord to find out more about their 250th celebration events.
Two-Day Itinerary: Patriots’ Day Itinerary
Ready to walk in the footsteps of history? Here is a two-day itinerary that will help you see everything related to the Lexington and Concord 250th historic sites.
For a special place to eat, check out Colonial Inn’s Liberty Restaurant and spend a night in the Colonial Inn in Concord or the Inn at Hasting’s Park in Lexington.
Lexington & Concord 2-Day Itinerary
Plan your journey through the historic sites of April 19, 1775 with this easy-to-follow guide.
| Day | Site | Address | Website | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Lexington | Lexington Battle Green | 1625 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA | Visit Site | Site of the first shots of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. |
| Day 1 – Lexington | Buckman Tavern | 1 Bedford St, Lexington, MA | Visit Site | Where the militia gathered before facing British troops. |
| Day 1 – Lexington | Hancock-Clarke House | 36 Hancock St, Lexington, MA | Visit Site | Where John Hancock and Samuel Adams stayed the night before the battle. |
| Day 1 – Concord | North Bridge / Minute Man Park | 174 Liberty St, Concord, MA | Visit Site | Site of the first colonial resistance; \”the shot heard ’round the world.\” |
| Day 1 – Concord | The Old Manse | 269 Monument St, Concord, MA | Visit Site | Home of patriot minister William Emerson and later literary giants. |
| Day 1 – Concord | Concord Museum | 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA | Visit Site | Revolutionary artifacts including an original Old North Church lantern. |
| Day 2 – Trail | Meriam’s Corner | 751 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA | Visit Site | Ambush site where militias launched sustained attacks on the British retreat. |
| Day 2 – Trail | Paul Revere Capture Site | 180 N Great Rd, Lincoln, MA | Visit Site | Where Paul Revere was detained during his midnight ride. |
| Day 2 – Trail | Hartwell Tavern | 112 N Great Rd, Lincoln, MA | Visit Site | 18th-century tavern where militiamen clashed with retreating British troops. |
| Day 2 – Trail | Bloody Angle | Near Old Bedford Rd, Lincoln, MA | Visit Site | Deadly ambush site during the British retreat along the Battle Road. |
If you want to visualize your trip, here are the spots in the itinerary outlined on a map so you can picture the where you’re going.
Immerse yourself in history and stay in a historical hotel like the Beekman Arms Inn, where patriots gathered and Washington slept.
Wrap-up Of Celebrating Lexington and Concord 250th
This April 18, 2025, marks a turning point in human history. What happened in Massachusetts in 1775 wasn’t just the beginning of a war. It was the beginning of an idea—that freedom is worth fighting for.
“Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” — Captain John Parker
Want to learn more about the Revolutionary War? Check out the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, where you can find George Washington’s actual tent he used during the war.
Not far away, you’ll find Valley Forge, where Washington’s troops spent the winter in 1777.
If you enjoy exploring old ruins, visit Brunswick Town in North Carolina, which was burned to the ground during the Revolutionary War. As an extra bonus Fort Anderson was built on top of the ruins and was used to defend Wilmington, N.C. during the Civil War.
If you like mixing history and luxury, book a night at the Inn at Warner Hall, which was owned by George Washington’s grandparents!
Planning A Trip? Use These Resources!
Find the perfect accommodations with Booking.com. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, they have a room for every preference, including pets and pools.
Discover the best tours and activities with Viator or Get Your Guide. Explore iconic landmarks, take guided tours and immerse yourself in history.
Rent a car with Discover Cars and enjoy the freedom to explore the town at your own pace. Discover hidden gems, explore the countryside and make the most of your trip.
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