Latest news with #Lex250Commission
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Watch: The Battle of Lexington reenactment, 250 years later
Thousands of people gathered at dawn Saturday to commemorate the 250th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Lexington. Massachusetts 250th celebration: Local events, road closures. Here's everything you need to know Exactly 250 years after the opening shots of the American Revolution were fired, the Lexington Battle Green once again became a stage for the story that changed a nation. With muskets slung over their shoulders, dozens of Lexington Minutemen reenactors dressed as colonial militia emerged from the shadows just after 5 a.m. and assembled silently on the dew-covered grass. Just as they did on the fateful morning April 19, 1775, they stood waiting for the arrival of British Regulars and the moment that would echo across history. As the Redcoats advanced from the east, the crowd, many wrapped in blankets with hot cups of coffee in hand, fell silent. The British Regulars, outnumbering the colonial militia, formed a two-deep line across the Battle Green. The Regulars were ordered to disarm the militia, but not fire. With the militia defiant, refusing to lay down their arms, the Regulars affixed their bayonets and began to march forward. A single shot, known as the 'shot heard round the world,' rang out, setting off the American Revolution. To this day, it's a mystery where it came from. A brief, chaotic, and unforgettable skirmish ensued. Eight militia men fell, 10 were wounded, and the militia retreated. Their names were read during the reenactment. , Lex250 Commission Chair Suzie Barry said the reenactment, faithful and somber, reminded all present that the freedoms celebrated today were born in gunpowder and grief. 'Today, as we mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, we honor the courage of those who stood here in 1775 and ignited the fight for American independence,' Barry said. 'This reenactment is more than a tribute — it's a reminder of why we're here: to preserve our shared history, to reflect on the values that shaped this nation and to ensure that the spirit of Lexington continues to inspire future generations. Thank you to our wonderful Lexington Minute Men for all the work they did to make this the most comprehensive and historical reenactment to date.' Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Lexington smells fantastic!' SNL alum Rachel Dratch kicks off Lexington's 250th celebration with humor, hometown pride.
Next came Dratch, blending humor with nostalgia. She quipped about one of Lexington's lesser-known charms—'Lexington smells fantastic!'—and, with true Lexingtonian fervor, reminded the crowd where the shot heard 'round the world was really fired: 'Right here in Lexington! Lexington!' Advertisement More importantly, Dratch spoke warmly about the tight-knit town's spirit and commitment to service. 'I come back here a lot. Lexington is just so near and dear to my heart,' she said to the crowd, some of whom wore tricorn hats. '...And the people that make Lexington so special, that's what tonight is about.' Four awards were presented during the ceremony. High school seniors Isabelle Barbesino and Siya Setty received the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award. Community elder Fred Johnson was honored with the Minuteman Cane Award. And for the final award, Dratch pulled a name from a white envelope, like an Oscar presenter, announcing Sue Rockwell—a retired attorney and longtime member of the town's historical society—as the recipient of the White Tricorne Hat Award, given each year by the town's Lion's Club. Advertisement 'It was great to see people getting these awards and to feel how connected everyone is, because that's how it felt growing up here,' Dratch said in an interview after the ceremony. Dratch's family moved to Lexington when she was five, and she downplayed any deep revolutionary ties—'my connection to town is more like, you know, fun childhood memories,' she said, laughing. Still, her reflections captured the community and volunteerism that shaped those memories. She recalled how her parents were familiar faces around town and how she's stayed close with childhood friends. 'You know, you hear people say, 'I couldn't wait to get out of my town!' or whatever,' she said. 'But in places like Lexington, these places in Massachusetts... a lot of people stay.' While the ceremony honored the town's Revolutionary roots, it ultimately highlighted values that persist today: civic engagement, service, and a strong sense of community. Officials announced VO250 - an effort to have town residents volunteer for 250,000 hours of community service -- over the next 12 months. Mona Roy, vice chair of the Lex250 Commission, put it: 'We're the birthplace of America, the start of the American Revolution. But it's also true that we make history every day. I always say, let it continue here.' While Dratch playfully waived off the town's Revolutionary fervor with a laugh, she still remembers being moved by it as a kid. She called the bicentennial reenactment 'amazing to see.' 'It's oddly moving,' she said. 'Not to sound cliche, but it really does make history come alive.' Advertisement Rita Chandler can be reached at
