Lexington Battle Green

The Lexington Battle Green is the town common where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired on the morning of April 19, 1775. As British Regulars approached, Captain John Parker lined up the Lexington militia here, and tradition holds that he told his men to stand their ground and not fire unless fired upon. George Washington later wrote that this was where the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain.

Today the green is a public park in the center of Lexington and a stop on many tours of the Revolution’s opening day. Its landmarks include the Minuteman statue, which has stood at the end of the green since 1900, and the Revolutionary Monument, erected in 1799 over the graves of the militiamen killed in the fight. Buckman Tavern, where militia members gathered before the battle, stands across the street from the green.

What to Know

• In the first skirmish, 77 Lexington militiamen faced the British Regulars.
• The green can be viewed from outside year-round.
• Guided tours with a colonial guide are available through Lexington’s tourism office.
• The site is part of Lexington’s cultural district.