On this day, 236 years ago, Captain John Parker and a small band of Massachusetts militia intercepted a British column of 700 at Lexington. The redcoats had orders to arrest several Patriot leaders, such as John Adams, and seize a supply of power being held at Concord. Their approach had been compromised by the Midnight Riders, such as Paul Revere. The two sides stared each other down for a few moments, and then, The Shot Heard Round the World was fired (from whom is still unknown). Eight militia were killed and ten wounded. The battle was a complete disaster for the colonists, but the word had already spread to other neighboring settlements.
The British reformed and carried on. They entered Concord without firing a shot, but little did they realize, militiamen were watching them and slowly building ranks. As the redcoats looked for the supplies they had come for, they were reported to have been kind and courteous to the population. When the left the city, they were once again intercepted by a group of militia at the North Bridge, but now it was much larger than before. With each passing moment, additional units arrived, until the British were firmly outnumbered. They beat a hasty retreat back to Boston, but would be harassed by musket fire throughout the journey.
Today is America's unofficial birthday. How many people knew that without reading the headlines? How many newspapers bothered to report it? Much of what we reaped from those sacrifices has been wasted. Government officials may pretend to honor them, but if such an event were to occur now, it would be scorned and condemned, just as it was in 1775.
So what are we to make of ourselves? Are we worthy of the Republic they left us? Would I be willing to take up arms against superior forces for the sake of an ideal? Would any of us? What would those eight dead Massachusetts men say if they saw what their colony has become, and their country?
It makes one wonder if there is any hope for our generation. They succeeded back then, but could we?
The British reformed and carried on. They entered Concord without firing a shot, but little did they realize, militiamen were watching them and slowly building ranks. As the redcoats looked for the supplies they had come for, they were reported to have been kind and courteous to the population. When the left the city, they were once again intercepted by a group of militia at the North Bridge, but now it was much larger than before. With each passing moment, additional units arrived, until the British were firmly outnumbered. They beat a hasty retreat back to Boston, but would be harassed by musket fire throughout the journey.
Today is America's unofficial birthday. How many people knew that without reading the headlines? How many newspapers bothered to report it? Much of what we reaped from those sacrifices has been wasted. Government officials may pretend to honor them, but if such an event were to occur now, it would be scorned and condemned, just as it was in 1775.
So what are we to make of ourselves? Are we worthy of the Republic they left us? Would I be willing to take up arms against superior forces for the sake of an ideal? Would any of us? What would those eight dead Massachusetts men say if they saw what their colony has become, and their country?
It makes one wonder if there is any hope for our generation. They succeeded back then, but could we?
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