April 18, 1775: Paul Revere's Ride
April 19, 1775: Shot Heard 'Round the World at Lexington
April 19, 1775: Skirmishing at Concord
April 19, 1775: Siege of Boston begins
Summary
Tensions in Boston, Massachusetts had been building for months. The colonists had grown more and more unhappy about the series of taxes passed by Parliament: Sugar Act, Currency Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Act and the Tea Act. The last had prompted the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America, Lt. General Thomas Gage, who was headquartered in Boston, attempted to minimize tensions between the colonists and British soldiers. However, his efforts were hampered by continued harsh legislation from Parliament.
In April, General Gage is ordered to take decisive actions to quell the growing rebellion. Colonial spies in Boston quickly learn of a planned expedition to Concord to capture members of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and supplies. One April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren sends messages with both Paul Revere and William Dawes. Dawes travels out of Boston by land, while Revere goes by water. After a near capture, Revere reaches Lexington and warns John Hancock and Samuel Adams. He and Dawes attempt to continue on to Concord, but are waylaid. Dr. Samuel Prescott does make it to Concord. Revere is back in a Lexington tavern retrieving Hancock's papers when the famous Shot Heard 'Round the World is fired.
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