Which 1775 battles began the American Revolutionary War remembered during America's 250th anniversary?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord began the American Revolutionary War remembered during America’s 250th anniversary.

Fighting began on April 19, 1775, when British regulars marched from Boston toward Concord, Massachusetts, to seize military supplies. At Lexington, colonial militia and British troops exchanged fire. The British continued to Concord, where colonial forces confronted them before the regulars began their return march to Boston.

Colonial militia from several communities attacked the retreating British column along the road. The fighting transformed a political crisis into an open war between the colonies and Great Britain. The conflict later expanded through major campaigns, foreign alliances, naval operations, and battles across North America and beyond.

Lexington and Concord are sometimes confused with Bunker Hill, which took place near Boston two months later. Bunker Hill was an early major battle, but it was not the opening clash. America250 connects the 2026 anniversary to the revolutionary era that began with these April 1775 encounters.