Which battles opened the armed conflict of the American Revolutionary War?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord opened the armed conflict of the American Revolutionary War.

Fighting began on April 19, 1775, in Massachusetts. British troops marched from Boston toward Concord to seize colonial military supplies, while colonial militia members gathered to oppose them. The first clash occurred at Lexington, where British regulars and Massachusetts militiamen exchanged fire. The British then continued toward Concord, but colonial resistance intensified.

During the retreat to Boston, militia units repeatedly attacked the British column from the surrounding countryside. The day’s fighting transformed political tension into a large-scale war and helped bring additional colonial forces to Boston.

The battles came before the Declaration of Independence by more than a year. The colonies were still formally under British rule in April 1775, and many participants initially hoped for reconciliation. The declaration of independence followed only after the conflict and political break had deepened.