April 19, a Date of Historical Significance

An important day in history is rapidly approaching, and it is all but forgotten by the vast majority of Americans. On April 19, 1775, 235 years ago, and about 15 months before the Declaration of Independence was written, The battles of Lexington and Concord were fought, they were the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. It was during these battles that the well known quotation "The shot heard around the world" evolved.

Some 700 British Army Regulars, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith were given secret orders to capture and destroy the military supplies that were reportedly stored by the Massachusetts (MA) Colonials at Concord. They (Patriots/Militia) were aware that their supplies were at risk of being confiscated, or destroyed. As a precaution they took measures to divide them up and dispersed them to several locations for obvious reasons. The colonials also knew that if they lost the battle they would undoubtably be taken prisoner, tried as traitors to the King, and executed.

The Colonials chose to fight. The first shots were fired just as the sun was rising at Lexington. The Colonials were outnumbered and had to fall back and regroup. The Colonial Militia was composed of ordinary citizens ranging in age from teen agers to the elderly. They ultimately regrouped and soundly defeated the British Regulars, This was accomplished by the Colonials utilizing unconventional methods of fighting that the British Regulars were not accustomed to fighting against, mainly sniping, and ambush.

The Colonials saved their military stores, and more importantly demonstrated they had the right, and the will to protect themselves, their families and their property. They stood up against, and defeated a superior force, of professionally trained soldiers in the very first battle of the Revolutionary War, a war that carried on for 8 years (1775-1783). Subsequent to the Battle battle at Lexington, The Continental Congress Commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775.

This brief article is not meant to be a history lesson, it is much to short for that, but just a reminder of how we became a free and independent Nation. Our Second Amendment Rights in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution was inspired by the actions of the brave men of the Massachusetts Colonial Militia.

Dare I wonder are we entering an era that history is repeating itself? The King of England wanted to disarm the citizens of MA, the citizens stood up, resisted and won. We currently have an administration that wants firearm confiscation, by circumventing the Second Amendment, and signing up to Foreign Treaties (CIFTA and the United Nations Global Gun Ban) that would abrogate our right to keep and bear arms, and destroy the sovereignty of our country by usurping the power of the United States Constitution. I do see parallels. Remember, an armed person is a citizen, and unarmed citizen is a subject. We must never forget who we are and what we stand for.

"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered as the palladium of the liberties of a republic." --Justice Joseph Story
May God Bless America and all who lover her!

G.Grubb
Hobbit73