This Day in American History...
From Lexington, the British continued their march to Concord, but found the militia had hidden most of their armaments. In a fierce fight, hundreds of colonial militiamen joined the counterattack, forcing the British to make a desperate retreat back to Boston.
“Our all is at stake,” declared a call to arms issued the next day; the British were going “to ravage this devoted country with fire and sword.” Some colonists resisted taking up arms. Others joined the fight to save themselves and their children from lives of “perpetual slavery” under British rule.
The war for America's independence had begun, 235 years ago today.