“Don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they want a war let it begin here.” —Captain John Parker, commander of the militiamen at Lexington, Massachusetts, on sighting British troops

On April 19, 1775, American militiamen at Lexington and Concord confronted 700 British Red Coats and fired the opening volley for American Liberty. The British governor had ordered his troops to seize weapons in Concord. It is no small irony that the first shots of the Revolution were fired in response to a gun confiscation order.

Please join us in honoring their sacrifice, and that of generations of Patriots since, including those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who continue to shoulder the burden of Liberty. Read a full account of the battle in Mark Alexander’s Patriots’ Day column.