As the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War approaches, the dispute over where the first shots were fired has reignited between the neighboring towns of Lexington and Concord. This long-standing rivalry dates back to April 19, 1775, when the war began, only to be followed by a clash over which town holds the rightful claim as the birthplace of the American Revolution.
Historians like Robert Allison, a professor at Suffolk University, adamantly state that the first shots were indeed fired in Lexington, dismissing Concord’s claims as an attempt to assert unwarranted importance. The longstanding feud between these two towns, evident even in their annual Thanksgiving football game, will escalate this April 19 with competing gala celebrations – Concord250 and Lex250.
The dispute stems from the events of April 18-19, 1775 when British troops marched from Boston to Concord to destroy military supplies. In Lexington, the British encountered 77 militiamen on the town green, leading to the first shots being fired. The conflict then moved to Concord, where the militia engaged the British, resulting in a day-long battle that marked the start of the war.
Concord erected a monument at the North Bridge in 1836, inscribed with a phrase asserting that the first forcible resistance to British aggression occurred there. This inscription, coupled with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous poem “Concord Hymn,” further fueled the debate over the true birthplace of the Revolutionary War.
David Wood, curator of the Concord Museum, acknowledges the historical complexities of the argument, emphasizing that the dispute has persisted for centuries. Despite the ongoing rivalry, he humorously admits that the war may have technically started in both Lexington and Concord, offering a rare moment of conciliation in the heated debate.
In contrast, Lexington maintains a staunch position, with Steve Cole, captain of the Lexington Minute Men, emphasizing the sacrifices made by the town’s militia. Cole asserts that historical documentation supports Lexington’s claim to being the site of the first forcible resistance, dismissing Concord’s assertions as disrespectful to the fallen soldiers.
The dispute, while rooted in historical accuracy, symbolizes a broader unity among the colonists on that fateful day. Paul O’Shaughnessy of the Lexington Historical Society reflects on the unified front presented by the militia from various towns, highlighting the collective effort that led to the birth of the United States.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, O’Shaughnessy unequivocally states that the first shots were fired in Lexington, marking the undeniable beginning of the war that ultimately shaped the nation. The dispute between Lexington and Concord, while significant in historical context, serves as a reminder of the united front presented by the colonists on that pivotal day in American history.
