Early morning crowds gather for Battle of Lexington reenactment
The annual event, organized by the Lexington Minute Men, recreates the pivotal moments of April 19, 1775.
British regulars fire their muskets at the militiamen on Lexington Green. Marking the 251st anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington was held on the historic Lexington Green between the British regulars and the local militiamen. Over 700 British regulars fought about 77 patriots in a 15-minute skirmish that left eight Americans killed. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
Crowds gathered before dawn Saturday on the Lexington Battle Green as the town reenacted the opening moments of the American Revolution.
The annual Battle of Lexington reenactment kicked off at 5:15 am with the ringing of the alarm and a faux civilian evacuation, before culminating in the arrival of British troops and Captain John Parker’s rallying call to his militia.
Fog shrouds militiamen on Lexington Green as they prepare to fight during the Battle of Lexington. Marking the 251st anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington was held on the historic Lexington Green between the British regulars and the local militiamen. Over 700 British regulars fought about 77 patriots in a 15-minute skirmish that left eight Americans killed. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
Social media posts from the event captured the scene on the Green, from the sound of musket fire to the movement of reenactors portraying colonial militia and British regulars.
Lexington 250, a project focused on the town’s Revolutionary War history, shared several videos on Instagram highlighting scenes from the event.
Colonial minute man Charlie Price, 95, takes a perch in a window of the Buckman Tavern prior to a historic re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Lexington, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Colonial Minutemen muster inside the Buckman Tavern prior to a historic re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Lexington, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
One spectator who shared photos on X said the reenactment gave them chills. Another person shared photos on Facebook and called the event “outstanding.”
On this day 251 years ago the first shots of the revolutionary war were fired at Lexington, the birthplace of American freedom.
Today I had the chance to watch a re-enactment of these events at Lexington battle green. It gave me chills watching these events where they happened pic.twitter.com/G24nnTKMtj
The wife of a militiaman holds their baby as she says goodbye to him on Lexington Green before the battle. John Tlumacki/Boston GlobeA British regular bayonets a fallen militiaman who was shot on Lexington Green. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
Another local snapped a pic of off-duty reenactors enjoying a little local flavor at a Wahlburgers food truck.
Little known fact: After the Battle of Lexington, the British stopped at Wahlburgers. pic.twitter.com/krJ0zUSMSG
Smoke from discharged muskets obscures the battlefield on Lexington Green as the British regulars march over the fallen militiamen. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe
A particularly captivating video shows the intensity of battle, with the spectator writing on X, “May we never forget how this great nation became America!”
The 251st anniversary of the Battle of Lexington "the shot heard round the world" reenactment happened this morning in Lexington Mass
Be civil. Be kind.
Read our full community guidelines.To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address