April 19, 1775

Now these people were fighting for freedom, and to defend their homeland. I am not one to advocate for violence, but these people were under violent occupation and violent attack. And here is why the right to bear arms is so vital to liberty.

The British Major John Pitcairn rode forward and ordered the rebels to disperse. Realizing the futility of their position, the patriots began to do so, but refused to surrender their arms. Suddenly one shot rang out, who fired it will never be known. A British officer ordered his troops to fire. Their volley flew over the minutemen's heads. Pitcairn shouted an order to cease fire, but his overexcited troops let loose another volley and charged the fleeing minutemen. With great difficulty the British officers regained control over their troops. Eight dead patriots lay on Lexington Green; ten wounded escaped ...

The smoke is beginning to clear and the scene is frightful. There are bodies lying on the ground. Can they be dead? They don't move. Maybe they're feigning death, until the Regulars move on. Loud HUZZAHs from the ranks of the Regulars break the spell. Spectators run to the fallen. The injuries appear to be serious. That looks like Isaac Muzzy. And there. Can that be Jonathan Harrington? What has happened? How can this have happened?

For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Longfellow wrote his poem April 19, 1860. Events immediately thereafter, and since, make one question just how "the people" would react to "darkness and peril and need," but a moment to recall the freedom fighters of April 19, 1775, and to reflect on what they accomplished, is certainly appropriate. A search for "April 19, 1775" yields some interesting reading.