On a cool spring morning in Massachusetts, shots rang out at Lexington on April 19, 1775, in a clash between colonial militiamen and British redcoats on the village green. This sharp skirmish began what soon became the Revolutionary War. Join historians John Maass and Rob Orrison for a close look at the opening battles of the conflict in the Boston area.

 

John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War.” (2025).

 

Rob Orrison received a bachelor’s degree in historic preservation at Longwood University and a master’s degree in public history from George Mason University. Currently Rob serves as the Division Manager for the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation. He is the author of “The Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Beginning of the American Revolution, April 19, 1775.” (2018).

 

Register for the virtual Battle Brief at 12 p.m.

 

Register for the in-person Battle Brief at 12 p.m.