Concord

The Minute Man Monument in Concord (about 30 min west of Boston) is very closely linked to the American Revolution and a continuation of the history lesson of the Freedom Trail.

Discontent was smoldering in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 1770s as Britain was increasing taxes and control over the colony.

On 19th April 1775, the discontent flared into fighting. The British army left Boston to seize the weapons and ammunition stashed away by the colonists

The colonists were warned of the raid and tried to hide the weapons. The colony didn't have an army but all free men were required to serve in their town's militia company and attend regular training. The name 'minute man' comes from fact that these 'troops' were ready to march at a moment's warning.

Early in the morning on 19th April 1775 several hundred militia men watch from nearby hills as the British search Concord.
The British were burning weapons and supplies but the militia thought the British were burning down their town and advanced to the North Bridge which was held by the British. The British soldiers fired and killed two colonists. The militia officer ordered his men to return the fire - Englishman killing Englishman.

The British army marched back to Boston but militia men along the road opened fire and killed more soldiers.
73 dead British soldiers and 41 dead colonists.

The war had begun.

Through 1775, the colonists kept fighting to restore their rights as British subjects. On 4th July 1776, the Continental Army issues the Declaration of Independence for a new nation.
Fighting continues until 1782, when Britain and the United States sign a preliminary peace treaty.

In April 1783, George Washington declares the war has ended. Eight years after the fighting started in ConcordRead more