"If they want a war let it begin here."

Today in 1775, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington, Massachusetts, when about 40 militiamen formed ranks against 700 British Red Coats on their way to Concord.

“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

Be sure to read more in Mark Alexander’s latest Patriots’ Day essay.

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