Overview

• Tens of thousands gathered in Lexington and Concord to witness reenactments of Paul Revere’s midnight ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the Revolution’s 250th anniversary.
• The reenactments featured colonial militias and British troops firing muskets, with meticulous attention to detail, recreating the first shots of the American Revolution.
• Over 100,000 participants and spectators attended the events, which included parades, rededications, and living-history demonstrations across historic sites in Massachusetts.
• The semiquincentennial has reignited debates over how to present an inclusive Revolutionary War legacy, addressing the roles of women, enslaved individuals, and Indigenous people.
• Organized over seven years by local and national bodies, the observances aim to educate the public while prompting reflection on the Revolution’s relevance to contemporary political divisions.