LEXINGTON — On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 5:30 a.m., thousands gathered on Lexington Battle Green as the Lexington Minute Men reenacted the Battle of Lexington.
According to Lexington Minute Men’s Captain Commanding Stephen D. Cole Jr., the event brought the opening moments of the American Revolution to life 251 years after the “shot heard round the world.”
The reenactment began with the ringing of the Old Belfry as the sun rose and dozens of reenactors assembled on the Green in traditional militia attire as British Regulars approached. Colonial women gathered their children and rushed to the Green, where they said their goodbyes before evacuating.
The reenactment portrayed the events of April 19, 1775, as Captain John Parker sent Thaddeus Bowman east to search for the approaching Regulars. Bowman soon returned on horseback to warn the militia that the British were near, while the sound of British drums echoed in the distance.
“Outnumbered but determined, Parker’s militia stood their ground as the Redcoats marched onto the Green,” Cole said. “A single shot rang out, followed by a brief but bloody exchange of gunfire between the two sides. Eight militia members were killed, and 10 were wounded, forcing the militia to retreat. Shortly after the battle, Captain Parker and Rev. Jonas Clarke courageously rallied the militia at the Green and encouraged them to continue the fight.”
The reenactment concluded by 7:30 a.m. Cole said that as the crowd lingered on the Green, the Lexington Minute Men began preparing for the rest of the group’s Patriots’ Day weekend events.
Then, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Lexington Minute Men reenacted the Battle of Tower Park at 1157 Massachusetts Ave. After that reenactment, they took part in the annual Patriots’ Day Parade at 1:30 p.m., marching from the intersection of Maple Street and Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center and ending at Worthen Road.
Patriots’ Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine that commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War and is observed each year on the third Monday in April.
“We are honored to continue the Lexington Minute Men’s tradition of preserving history through events such as the annual Battle of Lexington reenactment,” Cole said. “Through reenactments like this one, we share the stories of those who fought to create our nation. We look forward to the rest of the weekend’s events as we continue to honor the Patriots who came before us.”