The British are Coming!
drawing of paul revere
On the fateful night of April 18, 1775, the legendary Paul Revere embarked on his historic ride through Boston, marking a crucial chapter in the early days of the American Revolution.
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride
Paul Revere's ride was a pivotal moment in American history, undertaken to warn colonists of the British forces' movements.
The Mission: Paul Revere, along with William Dawes, was commissioned by the Sons of Liberty to ride at midnight and spread the alarm.
Additional Riders: Recognizing the urgency, Revere enlisted the help of thirty additional riders to ensure the spread of the warning.
The British Objective: Lexington and Concord
The British aimed to quell colonial resistance by seizing weapons stockpiled in Lexington and Concord.
Strategic Importance: Lexington and Concord were critical locations where colonists had stored weapons, posing a threat to British control.
Preventive Action: The British aimed to thwart the colonists' ability to resist by confiscating these weapons.
Inside Old North Church: Signaling the British Route
Within Old North Church, a clandestine plan was set in motion to communicate the British forces' chosen route.
Signal Bearers: Robert Newman and John Pulling Jr. were entrusted with the task of setting a signal inside Old North Church, indicating the route the British were taking.
Why were Lexington and Concord considered critical locations?
The colonists had weapons stockpiled there.
They were massive trading ports.
High-ranking British officers lived there.