Historical reenactment in Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts
The towns of Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, are the site of Minute Man National Historical Park, a park governed by the National Park Service.{{cite web|title=Minute Man National Historical Park|url=http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm|website=National Park Services|accessdate=12 March 2015}} The most highly attended event in the park is the annual reenactment of the first shots of the Battles of Lexington and Concord,{{cite news|last1=Simone|first1=Alina|title=Henry Liu is a musket-carrying member of the Lexington Minute Men. He's also Chinese American.|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-21/henry-liu-musket-carrying-member-lexington-minute-men-hes-also-chinese-american|accessdate=13 February 2015|work=Public Radio International|date=21 April 2014}} performed by the Lexington Minute Men Company and His Majesty's Tenth Regiment of Foot.{{cite web|title=Reenactment Information|url=http://www.bostoncentral.com/events/patriots_day_battle_reenactment_lexington/p1158.php|website=Boston Central|accessdate=12 March 2015}}
History
On April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary War's first battle was fought on the Lexington Battle Green. Later, as public interest grew due to the bicentennial celebration of the American Revolutionary War, volunteers began to reenact that battle every Patriots' Day. The Lexington Minutemen, the militia group that fought in the original battle,{{cite web|title=The Lexington Minutemen|url=http://www.lexingtonminutemen.com/join.html|accessdate=13 February 2015}} took the roles of the Minutemen. However, it was not until 1971 that the American Contingent of the Tenth Regiment of Foot was founded to play the roles of the British military forces.{{cite web|title=History of the American Contingent|url=http://www.redcoat.org/organization/10foot_ac.html|website=The American Contingent of the Tenth Regiment of Foot|accessdate=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221122249/http://redcoat.org/organization/10foot_ac.html|archive-date=21 February 2015|url-status=dead}}
Reenactment of the first battle of the Revolutionary War
The reenactment of the "shot heard round the world" begins at 5:30 in the morning, slightly before sunrise.{{cite news|last1=Tempera|first1=Jacqueline|title=Lexington police step up Patriots Day security|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/18/lexington-police-step-patriots-day-security/7lxQMqi3gcaL9JmqKWF2KN/story.html|accessdate=13 March 2015|work=Boston Globe}} The Minute Men begin on the Battle Green, while the British regulars march in. When he sees them, the captain of the Minute Men gives the others some brief words of encouragement, telling them "Steady, men! Steady, men! Stand your ground! Do not fire unless fired upon!".{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Joshua|title=Battle of Lexington reenactment draws throngs|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/15/battle-lexington-reenactment-draws-throngs/6LLhLcbkeAGg5ZksiNdl4I/story.html|accessdate=13 March 2015|work=Boston Globe}} At 6:00 AM, the battle itself begins, and the British regulars quickly win.{{cite web|title=Patriots Day|url=http://www.lexingtonhistory.org/patriots-day.html|website=Lexington Historical Society|accessdate=13 March 2015}}
Other reenactments
The Lexington Historical Society also maintains certain historical sites in their original condition.{{cite web|title=Historic Sites|url=http://www.lexingtonhistory.org/historic-sites.html|website=Lexington Historical Society|accessdate=13 March 2015}} They give tours of the buildings, and for some have staff in authentic colonial garb to answer questions and explain the lifestyle of the time. One such building is Munroe Tavern, where the British set up a makeshift hospital for injured soldiers.{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Brock|title=History revisited Munroe Tavern offers British take on April 19, 1775|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2011/09/25/lexingtons_restored_monroe_tavern_offers_british_perspective_of_first_day_of_the_american_revolution/|accessdate=13 March 2015|work=The Boston Globe}}
References
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Category:Annual events in Massachusetts