Lexington
Concord
By
Tammy Derouin
On
this day, April 19, 1775, a shot was fired. A new era of freedom and
independence was on the horizon. Although it may not have been known
at the time, this day, this event, would forever change the history
of the world.
Man's
journey out of darkness would begin a new chapter. It had been well
over 500 years since the groundwork had been put into motion for
future generations to secure the blessings of liberty. In an effort
to avoid an English rebellion, King John agreed to a charter of
liberties, which we know today as the Magna Carta. Originally signed
in 1215, with several revisions taking place over the next several
years, the Magna Carta was the cornerstone for the English system of
common law.
The
Magna Carta would inspire future documents of liberty. This would
become evident when the colonist declared their independence from the
British crown. The legacy would continue as it was also used as a
pattern by the founding fathers when drafting the U.S. Constitution
and the Bill of Rights. Without this Great Charter, the idea of
living free may have remained a dream. Rights which are granted by
man or given on conditions, can be removed by man. Rights which are
acknowledged as God-given, can only be removed if we freely give them
away.
Tensions
were on the rise between the American colonist and the British
government. On April 19, 1775, British soldiers began an early
morning march to Concord, MA to seize military supplies which had
been gathered and stored by the town's patriots. The British were
coming.
Several
riders, including silversmith Paul Revere, rode throughout the
countryside warning the colonial militia and minutemen that British
troops were heading to Concord. While in Lexington, Revere got word
that it was a false alarm. A scout had reported that no British
soldiers were on the road. The relief was short lived as another
scout entered the town proclaiming the British were right behind him.
The local militia quickly assembled under the command of Captain
Parker. Upon entering the town, the British ordered the militia to
throw down their weapons. Captain Parker gave the command for the
soldiers to disperse. However, the militia did not give up their
arms. As the patriots turned away, a shot was fired. The British
began to fire their weapons and charged forward with their bayonets.
It remains a mystery as to who fired the first shot. Once the British
regained control of their soldiers and the smoke cleared, eight
militiamen were dead and nine others wounded.
The
Battle of Lexington and Concord was immortalized in a poem by Ralph
Waldo Emerson as the 'shot heard round the world.' It was the start
of the American Revolution and it would forever change the world.
On
this day, April 19, 2017, The Museum of the American Revolution is
opening in Philadelphia, PA. I cannot think of a better way to
celebrate the 242 anniversary of the “Shot Heard Round The World.”
I would have loved to have been there for this momentous occasion.
Just knowing that it exists is exciting and gives me hope that more
Americans will either renew their interest or be inspired to learn
about the history of our great country. Check out their website. It’s
full of information. Add your name to their mailing list. This is
going to be such an exciting journey down the path to freedom.
Sadly,
our public schools are not teaching our children the significance of
being an American. They are not being taught why the United States is
so exceptional among nations or that freedom comes at a price and
therefore should not be taken for granted. Those who came before us
stood up to tyranny so future generations could live free. The home
of the brave paved the way for the land of the free. Let us hope and
pray that their sacrifices and the sacrifices of those who fought for
freedom and the homeland throughout our history, have not been in
vain.
Freedom
can and will be lost if we do not pay attention. We recently allowed
our country to get dangerously close to the point of no return. A
fundamental transformation was taking place. This would have caused
us to journey back into darkness, back into enslavement. We are far
from being out of the woods. Evil has taken root and is spreading.
Sadly, many Americans have fallen victim to the poison being feed to
them. When we do not know our history and we do not know the truth or
refuse to hear it, we inflict more harm. We must recognize our
enemies, both foreign and domestic and eradicate them, not pacify
them.
“But
a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be
restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
John
Adams
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