The shot heard around the world!

It was April 19, 1775 at the famous battle at Lexington and Concord (two cities in Massachusetts). This would become the first battle of the American Revolution.

Background

If you read about Paul Revere, you know that he was riding his horse to Lexington in order to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock (both prominent in the Sons of Liberty) that the British were coming to capture them, as well as take any ammunition and weapons they had hidden.

Paul Revere was detained by the British and his horse was taken. He never made it to Concord, but returned to Lexington where he was a witness of the battle that followed the next morning.

These men were not afraid to give their all for their liberty and their country, even their lives.

"Give me Liberty or Give me death!" ~Patrick Henry, 1775

It sounds a lot like Moroni in the Book of Mormon.

"Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.  And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land" ~Alma 48:14-15 

"When a country is invaded, [patriots] are ready to appear in its defense... they fight for their houses, their lands, for their wives, their children…for their liberty, and for themselves, and for their God.” ~Samuel Adams

Doesn't that sound like the Title of Liberty??

And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. ~Alma 46:12

It is worth reading the whole account! (Check out Alma 46:12-21)

Ok back to Massachusetts

Around 5 a.m. on April 19th, 700 British troops arrived at the town of Lexington. 77 militia men (the Minutemen) were gathered in a tavern (awaiting the British). They gathered on the Lexington common green. Major John Pitcairn of the British army ordered the Patiots (who were grossly outnumbered) to disperse. The Patriots hesitated but held their ground. Suddenly, what has become known as the "shot heard around the world" was fired from an undetermined gun (American or British?) Clouds of musket smoke soon covered the green.

When the brief Battle of Lexington ended, a handful of Americans lay dead and several others wounded. The American Revolution had begun.

The American Patriots were not afraid to defend their country and their beliefs to the death.

“Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit – appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free. ~ Joseph Warren, 1775

SIDE NOTE: Joseph Warren did give his life for liberty.

Joseph Warren became Major General Warren at the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775. He was thirty-four years old. Three days later he arrived in Charlestown, MA just before the battle of Bunker Hill. Rather than exercise his rank, he chose to participate in the battle as a private soldier.

He made his way to where the militamen were forming. He asked General Israel Putnam where he thought the heaviest fighting would be; Putnam pointed to Breed's Hill. Warren subsequently volunteered to join with the militia as a private. This was against the wishes of General Putnam and Colonel William Prescott, who both requested that he serve as their commander instead. Warren wouldn't have it. He believed they held more military experience and therefore declined. Warren defended the Patriot cause against two failed attacks by British troops and continued firing his gun during a third attempt until he ran out of ammunition and was killed in action.

A little More: Joseph was practicing medicine and surgery in Boston when he became involved in politics and held close association with John Hancock, Samuel Adams and other leaders of the Sons of Liberty. Joseph married and had four children, his wife passed away a few years later. Joseph became engaged to Mercy Scollay who was caring for his children at the time of his death.

Joseph Warren was well-known and one of the most important Patriots in Boston during the early days of the American Revolution. It was Warren in fact, who through a spy learned that British were coming and then enlisted Paul Revere and William Dawes to leave Boston and spread the alarm. Warren participated in the battles at Lexington and Concord.

It is said that British General Thomas Gage, who led British troops at the battle of Bunker Hill remarked that Warren's death was equal to the death of 500 ordinary colonials. A great success the British felt, but in fact, his death encouraged the revolutionary cause. Joseph Warren's death was viewed as an act of martyrdom and strengthened their resolve to continue the fight for freedom!

ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS

• Andy Griffith. In case you skipped Paul Revere or want to watch it again! Hilarious clip where he teaches Opie and his friends (along with Barney) about American History (4:19): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGXCH7zBdc4
  

• A good short video about Lexington and Concord (2:27). The first battle of the American Revolution! https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/revere-and-dawes-warn-of-british-attack

• Joseph Warren: The first martyr of the American Revolution(2:21): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki0fEopFXPw