Which 1775 battle is generally considered the opening major battle of the American Revolutionary War?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord are generally considered the opening major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

The fighting took place in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. British troops marched from Boston to seize colonial military supplies at Concord, but local militia confronted them at Lexington and later forced the British retreat from Concord.

The clashes transformed political resistance into open warfare. Colonial militia from surrounding communities joined the fighting, and the British column suffered heavy losses during its return to Boston. The confrontation led to the Siege of Boston and the creation of a unified Continental Army.

The battles are sometimes described as a single event because they formed one connected expedition and retreat. They are also sometimes confused with Bunker Hill, which occurred nearly two months later on June 17, 1775, during the siege.