Today is the 250th anniversary of a very important event in American history. Do you know what that event was?
On April 19, 1775, the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” rang out in Lexington, signaling the beginning of the battle for American independence.
After years of increasing hostility and oppression by our own government, Britain demanded that colonists disarm and surrender all munitions. Farmers, professionals, and merchants alike rallied around the handful of Patriots who resisted.
The skirmish at Lexington and Corcord was the last straw for the loyal colonists, who had humbly – and repeatedly – petitioned the King: asking only to be given the same rights, protections, and privileges of every other British subject.
250 years ago today, our ancestors stood bravely against the might of the British military and said, “no more!” Tensions continue to rise until, out of options and desperate for relief, they crafted the Declaration of Independence on July 4th of the next year.
Each Independence Day, I stand on our courthouse square, relating the horrific conditions that existed; then I read the Declaration out loud; and tell of the aftermath of the Declaration. Every year my audience has grown… which is encouraging, because there are many younger people who show up to listen.