Minuteman Minute | Lexington & Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord kicked off the American Revolution, which the National Guard was a part of every step of the way.

Hi, I’m Will Roulett, director of the National Guard Memorial Museum here in D.C., and this is your Minuteman Minute! April 2025 is the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which started the American Revolution with the “shot heard ‘round the world.” In recognition of this momentous anniversary, the Minuteman Minute will highlight the National Guard’s significant contributions to American independence over the next several months. This National Guard Heritage Painting by Domenick D'Andrea depicts the clash at Concord’s North Bridge on April 19th, 1775. Earlier that day, the British had exchanged fire with Massachusetts militia in Lexington, leaving eight colonists dead. Tensions had been growing for years due to the British occupation of Boston and unpopular taxes. The British marched out of Boston the night before to seize and destroy military stores in Concord. On their way, the skirmish on Lexington Green happened, which alerted militia companies and Minutemen throughout the area. Quickly realizing they were outnumbered; the British withdrew from Concord and were harassed all the way back to Boston. The Battle of Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston and, eventually, American Independence followed.  Come learn about this – and a whole lot more – at the National Guard Memorial Museum. I’m Will Roulett, and that’s been your Minuteman Minute, brought to you by the National Guard Educational Foundation.