251 years ago, the first step to becoming the United States of America began: The Battle of Lexington. The Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775 marked the explosive beginning of the American Revolution. Colonial militia faced British troops on Lexington Green, where the mysterious “shot heard ’round the world” sparked open conflict. Though brief, the clash ignited a war for independence that reshaped global history. The battles at Lexington and Concord of April 19 had proven that the irregular, untrained and civilian colonial militias could stand up to British regulars, which in turn had the effect of encouraging more colonies to join the fight against the Crown.
By today’s date 251 years ago, political coherence against England was solidifying and public sentiment was moving toward open rebellion against the Crown. The situation had shifted from political and ideological protest to open warfare, with militias assembling and preparing to fight the best equipped, best trained, and largest army in the world.
