Which two April 1775 battles are generally considered the first battles of the American Revolution?

Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution, fought on April 19, 1775.

British troops marched from Boston toward Concord to seize colonial military supplies. Paul Revere and other riders warned local militia, who assembled at Lexington. The first clash occurred there, although historians still debate who fired first.

The British continued to Concord, where colonial forces confronted them at the Old North Bridge. After searching for and destroying some supplies, the British column withdrew toward Boston under repeated attacks by militia along the road.

The fighting transformed political resistance into open war. The battles caused hundreds of casualties and encouraged thousands of New England militiamen to gather around Boston. The Second Continental Congress soon assumed leadership of the war effort and appointed George Washington commander in chief of the Continental Army.