Lexington & Concord

Today (April 19) marks the opening of the American Revolution - the central contest in the making of the United States of America.

It was on this day that British soldiers and armed colonists engaged in their first, serious contest of arms. Ray Raphael, author of A People's History of the American Revolution has pointed out that other stand-offs between colonists and British redcoats had transpired before Lexington. But Lexington was the flash pin. It was the engagement that triggered the war.

For a neat video on the "Shot Heard Round the World," go here.