The Minute Man National Historic Park, following the Battle Road, stretches across Massachusetts from Concord to Lexington. Celebrating the daring members of the American Revolution, a section of the park in northern Concord features the North Bridge and the Minute Man Statue (sculpted by Daniel Chester French). Battlefield scenes are reenacted throughout the year. And when historic muskets are fired, loud reports and smoke catches everyone's attention. Patriots’ Day in Concord is a day-long event, and the town is is closed to traffic at 8:30 am.
   Ralph Waldo Emerson described the first Revolutionary exchange of gunfire as the shot heard 'round the world. While Emerson's poem, the Concord Hymn, was in reference to the first shot fired by a Minuteman at Concord, the initial skirmish began on the Lexington Common. When it was clear the Patriots were out numbered by British regulars that morning, Captain Parker ordered his men to disperse. While many obeyed his order, a few lingered. As most Militia men were leaving and their backs were turned, a shot was fired from an unknown source. Even though British Major John Pitcarin was shouting for a cease fire, the British troops, who were fueled by hatred, continued their charge on the small Patriot force. Eight militia were killed and ten wounded, while the British counted only one wounded solider.
   When the British officers regained control of their troops, the Redcoat army was able to press on toward their objective, a search for Patriot military supplies in Concord. Initially forced to retreat at Lexington, the Colonial forces, now numbering about 500, gathered and met the advancing Redcoats at the North Bridge. The Colonial Militia were successful this time in driving the British back. As more reinforcements arrived, they continued to fire upon the British army as they retreated south to Boston. The war with Great Britain had begun.

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