Two hundred and fifty years have passed since the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. In a proclamation, President Donald J. Trump commemorated the sacrifices and courage of the minutemen who stood against British forces on April 19, 1775. The President recalled the events leading to the battles, noting the strained relations between the American Colonies and the British Crown following incidents like the Boston Massacre and the implementation of the Intolerable Acts.
The tension escalated when Paul Revere alerted colonists of the approaching British forces aimed at arresting Colonial leaders and seizing arms. The confrontation at Lexington resulted in the deaths of eight American patriots, with the ensuing skirmishes signaling the start of the conflict termed the "shot heard 'round the world."
In Concord, the British targeted military supplies, leading to further clashes as militiamen, including Captain John Parker and Captain Isaac Davis, engaged the British, who eventually retreated to Boston. The battles exemplified the colonists' determination to pursue independence.
President Trump emphasized, "April 19, 1775, stands to this day as a seminal milestone in our Nation’s righteous crusade for liberty and independence." He underlined the importance of remembering the efforts of the American minutemen as America approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence next year.
In his proclamation, President Trump declared April 19, 2025, as a day to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and Concord, recognizing their pivotal role in America's fight for sovereignty.
