Today in History: April 19; “Shot heard round the world” #history #usa #america #shorts

Today in History: April 19.

It is the "Shot Heard Round the World",commencing the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

On the night of April 18, 1775, about 700 British Army regulars, under Lieutenant Colonel; Francis Smith, set off from Boston toward Concord Massachusetts, with orders to seize weapons from American colonists.

Early the next morning in Lexington, they encountered 77 militiamen waiting on the village green, led by Captain John Parker. A shot is fired from an uncertain source, sparking a melee, leaving eight militiamen dead.

The Red Coats continued on to Concord, breaking into smaller groups, when 100 Regulars, encountered a group of 400 armed patriots at the town’s North Bridge. Gunfire ensued, resulting in casualties on both sides.

The British retreated back to Boston thereafter, skirmishing with colonial militia throughout. Thus began the Revolutionary War.