2 weeks Ago
As the evening fell on the Massachusetts countryside 250 years ago today, members of the citizen militias readied themselves for action.British forces were planning to march northwest out of Boston to seize stores of weapons held in Concord and arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, leaders of the Sons of Liberty, in Lexington. Rather than capitulate to the intolerable oppression of the British king, they resolved to fight.
Harrowing overnight rides by Paul Revere, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott warned members of the Minuteman militia, who had gathered at taverns and meeting halls, that the British were coming. And on the morning of April 19, 1775, the colonials exchanged fire with the king’s soldiers — the first shots in America’s war for independence.
In Massachusetts and elsewhere, April 19 is known as Patriots’ Day, an important civic holiday and a source of great regional pride. But this year’s commemoration comes at a consequential time for our country.President Donald Trump’s administration is dismantling substantial parts of the federal government; ignoring court orders; operating in secrecy; deporting residents without due process or, in many cases, cause; recklessly imposing tariffs; deliberately targeting political opponents; and harming our international relationships and global reputation.
Given all of that, it may be difficult for some to see the appeal of touting our shared civic values and cheering the founders’ ideals. They may wrongly view that a celebration of our nation, and the patriotic fervor it may inspire, to be inappropriate given the fear, anxiety and anger bubbling throughout the populace.Yet there may be no better time for Americans to remember the principles on which these United States were founded.
It is important to be reminded that, despite its shortcomings and mistakes, the United States has been the standard bearer for democracy, freedom, opportunity and inclusion.Events such as the Battle of Lexington make clear that it was ordinary people, not an organized army, who demanded a government that honored the law, responded to their needs and acted in their best interests. Consider the words of Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the declaration, the nation’s third president and a proud son of Virginia.
He set forth in uncompromising language that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”But Jefferson and other members of the Congress wanted history to record the list of abuses that, in their view, necessitated their separation from Britain. Annotated in the declaration, these offenses include:He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.
There are 15 months until July 4, 2026, and the culmination of the America 250 celebrations. Let that period be filled with events and spirited debate that focuses not on the fact that the declaration was signed, but why it was signed and what that means, both for Americans and for the leaders elected who serve us.The United States is a nation of ideas — a belief in self-determination and individual liberty, and a forceful rejection of oppression and tyranny.
A 250th celebration of our independence that fails to highlight those principles betrays those who, firm in their resolve, faced down the British empire in Massachusetts one cold April morning..
