Lexington and Concord 250
1775 Living History - Battles of Lexington and Concord April 19, 2025
April 19, 1775, Battles of Lexington and Concord launched the American War of Independence.
For eight years, 1775 - 1783 Patriots fought for independence from Great Britain, ruled by King George III, who spent his last years insane and confined to Windsor castle.
King George III kept the war going, he wanted to keep American patriots “harassed, anxious and poor,” until they gave up, and surrendered to the monarch.
But Americans wanted something different, and they won.
Thirteen colonies became the United States of America, the Constitution defined a democracy with elected president and representatives from all states in Congress.
April 19, 2025 is 250th anniversary of Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Celebrate victory of village patriots who answered the call to fight against British tyranny.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
April 1775, thirteen colonies were on the verge of war, King George declared colonists rebels, British soldiers occupied Boston.
Massachusetts colonists made preparations for war, organizing militias and Minute Men (“ready in a minute”), and stockpiled cannons, muskets and ammunition.
Outside of Boston, in the village of Concord patriots had covert meetings and stocked military supplies.
Night of April 18, British General Gage secretly ordered 700 soldiers to march to Concord, destroy the weapons and take John Hancock and Samuel Adams prisoners.
In Boston, silversmith Paul Revere obtained news of the expedition in advance, Revere quickly rode toward Lexington and Concord to warn of the attack.
In Lexington, Revere successfully found Hancock and Adams, so they escaped, but Revere was taken by the British. Another patriot, Samuel Prescott rode on to Concord, alerting villagers British soldiers were coming.
In Concord, cannons were already sent off to another village miles away, but during the night John Barrett hid supplies that were stashed at his farm. He plowed smaller cannons and muskets into his fields. The next day, when British searched his house, they found nothing.
April 19 at 4:30am, Minute Men lined up Lexington Green to confront the British soldiers. Heavily outnumbered, shots were fired, and eight Americans were killed.
The British soldiers continued up Battle Road to Concord, where they searched for weapons. In the meantime, a large group of colonists assembled near the North Bridge. Stepping onto the bridge, the militia fired at the British, who scattered in disarray.
Around noon, the British soldiers retreated from Concord, and headed to Meriam's Corner. By now, more than 1,000 Americans had gathered behind stone walls. When the British fired at the militias, fighting began in earnest.
For the rest of the day, the British marched down the roads, colonists shooting from behind boulders, trees and fences, ambushing the British all the way back to Charlestown.
For Americans, road to victory took eight years, but it was the beginning of a new country.
Lexington and Concord 250 seasonal events
Patriot's Day celebrated on April 19, 2025 will have reenactments, day and nighttime events, parades, living history, historic houses are open – step into 1775!
Minute Man National Historic Park
April 12
Hartwell Tavern
Samuel Prescott's ride to Concord 6pm - 9pm
Barrett Farm
Open house in afternoon
Hands on program, 18th century artillery - 2pm
April 19 Patriot’s Day
Minute Man NHP Visitor Center
Living history all day
Tactical demonstrations, musket firings, reenactments - 11:30am and 1pm
April 21
Battle Road anniversary hike - registration required
Walk with rangers along 5 mile Battle Road Trail, with living history reenactments
Good for older kids or teens
Lexington 250
April 18
Paul Revere's Ride Reenactment – 10pm
April 19
Lexington Patriots Day Parade – 2pm
Marching bands, floats, fife and drums, jugglers, dancers
April 21
Living History Buckman Tavern 11am - 3pm
Revolutionary Scavenger Hunt 10am – 4pm
Concord 250
Concord full list of events
Also, how to get there, including public transportation, parking etc.
April 19 Patriot's Day
Parade - 8:30am
Parade with marching bands, historic militia and British soldiers, fife and drum
Patriot Lights: Concord 250 Drone Show - 8:30 PM
Concord Museum
Living history drill with muskets, cooking demonstrations, colonial crafts 10am – 5pm
In museum, see Paul's Revere's original lantern!
American Revolution in Boston
Boston is full of historic sites famous in the American Revolution.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Dec. 16, 1773, patriots tossed tons of tea into the harbor to protest British taxes.
Today, kids can step aboard a replica ship, watch reenactments by live actors, and throw boxes into the water.
Follow 2.7 miles trail through streets of Boston to see cemetery of revolutionary patriots, Paul Revere's house, 18th century sailing ship, and Bunker Hill.
More fun things to do with kids in Boston
Swan boats are perfect multi-gen activity, Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium is a must see, Museum of Science in Cambridge, and more.
