Which battles began the American Revolutionary War, a conflict central to the America250 story?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord began the American Revolutionary War, a conflict central to the America250 story.

The battles took place in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. British troops marched from Boston toward Concord to seize colonial military supplies, while colonial militia units mobilized in response. The first armed clash occurred at Lexington, and fighting continued through Concord and along the British withdrawal route.

The battles followed years of political tension involving taxation, representation, and imperial control. News of the fighting spread rapidly through the colonies, encouraging further resistance and leading the Second Continental Congress to organize a Continental Army.

The conflict lasted until the peace settlement of 1783. Later engagements such as Saratoga and Yorktown were strategically important, but they occurred after the war had already begun. Lexington and Concord are therefore recognized as the opening battles rather than as the war’s final or decisive campaign.