On Saturday, tens of thousands of people descended on Lexington and Concord to commemorate the historic start of the American Revolution, exactly 250 years after the “shot heard round the world.”
The reenactments and parades attracted history buffs, locals, politicians and protesters to the Massachusetts towns.
Heidi Webster and Mark Alexander arrived in Concord before dawn to march for the Massachusetts Lions, a service organization that helps underprivileged people across the country.
“It is just part of our history and a big part of the community,” said Webster, who lives in Concord. “Our children learn it in the schools and they’re all excited to be here and celebrating today.”
Alexander was here for the 200th, and now the semiquincentennial. He said he’s fortunate to be in the area where history was made.
“You think about what it was like 250 years ago and what people saw, what people did, and what special spot it is here in America,” he said.
Cheering crowds lined the streets in Monument Square as Concord’s parade kicked off at 8:30 Saturday morning marching towards the Old North Bridge, where a monument marks where the first British soldier fell after being outnumbered by Colonial forces.
At a park on the Concord riverbank, bridge behind her, Gov. Maura Healey gave the keynote address.
“In Massachusetts we must be, and we will be, the champions of freedom once again — not just because it is rooted in our past, but because it is alive in our hearts, and it is our hope for the future,” she said. “It is what we owe to those who came before us here in Concord, and it is what we owe to the generations who come after us all across America.”
As the Concord Minute Men fired cannons and muskets, Henry Wan watched with this two young children, who were asking questions about the historic moment that unfolded here.
“Being able to hear the sights and sounds and feel the cannon fire, I think brings a level of realism that we can’t get from a book,” the father said with a smile.
Wan, from Burlington, Massachusetts, also found value in the reflections shared at Old North Bridge.
“A lot the words that Maura Healey said today really resonated, especially in light of what’s happening in this country,” he said. “I think America is great because we stand up for what we believe in and democracy.”
Neighboring Lexington marked the first battle of the American Revolution with a pre-dawn reenactment. Reenactors gathered on the green with the vivid account of the Battle of Lexington, in the moments after Paul Revere rode from Boston to alert communities the British were coming.
Fred Mulligan attended the events with his daughter, Megan, and granddaughter.
“You hear the fife and drum coming over the hill before you see them and it’s pretty neat,” Megan said. “It gives you a little sense of what the day was like.”
As Mulligan watched his family take the moments in, he reflected on democracy.
“It’s the 250th anniversary of the revolution that ended up establishing our democracy. But our democracy is, in my mind, threatened once again, which is really unfortunate,” he shared. “I hope the whole country realizes this and stands up for freedom, democracy and fairness.”
There were no organized permitted protests, according to Lexington and Concord police departments, but groups of activists came out to both towns.
Several hundred people stood outside a perimeter marked as a “free speech” zone across from the Lexington Battle Green. Signs held high by many in the crowd were unmistakably directed at President Donald Trump, who has referred to himself as a king, with messages like “No King. No Tyranny.”
“We’re here to stand our ground and kick off resistance to the unconstitutional efforts of the Trump administration,” said Steven Singer, a spokesman for Lexington Alarm, a group of residents that organized the protest activity.
Other people scattered along a three-block area echoed Singer’s comments.
Retired financier and Lexington resident Tom Tommster said the demonstration on the 250th anniversary could not be more appropriate. He said he had never taken part in any kind of protest, but felt that the historical fight for freedom is “analogous to the beginnings of autocracy and tyranny that are clearly happening now.”
