Patriots' Day in Lexington
Patriots' Day commemorates the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. Since 1969 this day has been observed on the third Monday in April.
In 2013, Patriots' Day will be observed on Monday April 15, 2013.
Patriots' Day is observed over a period of days before, on, and after the third Monday in April. In Lexington we celebrate this day in high fashion with the reenactment of the Battle accompanied by civic events both before and after the reenactment. It is traditionally the beginning of the year for tourist activities in Lexington. Here is the official list of activities from the Town Of Lexington Celebrations Committee of the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Patriots’ Day Weekend.
In 2013, Patriots' Day will be observed on Monday April 15, 2013.
Patriots' Day is observed over a period of days before, on, and after the third Monday in April. In Lexington we celebrate this day in high fashion with the reenactment of the Battle accompanied by civic events both before and after the reenactment. It is traditionally the beginning of the year for tourist activities in Lexington. Here is the official list of activities from the Town Of Lexington Celebrations Committee of the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Patriots’ Day Weekend.
The Lexington Historical Society sponsors four outstanding events.
|
|
For a complete list of all local and surrounding events, please see Battle Road Events: March, April and May.
For visitors to Lexington, sometimes it is confusing to understand all of the events, so in this page we give you a long-time resident’s description of what goes on on Patriots' Day in Lexington.
For visitors to Lexington, sometimes it is confusing to understand all of the events, so in this page we give you a long-time resident’s description of what goes on on Patriots' Day in Lexington.
Days Before Patriots’ Day
Sunday April 7, 2013
Before the Parade starts, the floats are judged, and awards presented so that when the floats pass along the parade route the spectators can see who came in first, second, etc.
|
 |
This is an excellent opportunity for photographers to take pictures when the light is good. Your alternative is to take pictures that capture the historically accurate low light scene at 6am on Patriots’ Day. Of course, if you come to the rehearsal, you are committed to returning at 6:00am (earlier if you want a good spot) on Patriots’ Day to experience the real thing.
|
 |
Lexington Minute Men gather on the Lexington Battle Green to reenact the second call to arms from Captain Parker with additional dialogue from Reverend Jonas Clarke. Following this event, the Minutemen will march to Parker’s Revenge site on Route 2A near the Minuteman National Park Visitors Site for a wreath laying and musket salute.
|
 |
Please note: this event is out of the natural sequence of events since it obviously happened originally on the morning of April 19, 1775 after the Battle of Lexington had been fought.
[Note: This event happens every other year. ]
As the British returned to Boston, there were many skirmishes between Concord and Boston where the Minute Men shot at the retreating British soldiers. If you are a fan of musket shooting, head for Tower Park in Lexington for a big and loud skirmish reenactment.
|
 |
All told, at the end of the day on April 19, 1775, Great Britain lost 73 men, and had 174 men wounded and 25 were missing. The Americans lost 50 men, had 39 men wounded, and 5 were missing.
Please note: this event is out of the natural sequence of events since it happened originally at the end of the day on April 19, 1775.
Please note: this event is out of the natural sequence of events since it happened originally at the end of the day on April 19, 1775.
|
Sunday
April 14, 2013 8:00pm |
Colonial Singers Candlelit Concert
13 Depot Square Lexington, MA A recent addition to the Patriot's Day events. The Lexington Historical Society's Colonial Singers will perform a candlelit concert including favorite Revolutionary era songs.
This is a great event for the whole family. $5 ~ Tickets sold at the door |
|
Sunday Before Patriots’ Day
6:00pm and 8:00pm
 In Their Own Words
First Parish Church 7 Harrington Rd Lexington, MA Note: In Their Own Words will not be presented this year. Please come back next year when we will again present the dramatic retelling of the first day of the American Revolution from eyewitness accounts.
Each year, costumed re-enactors present a dramatic retelling of the first day of the American Revolution from eyewitness accounts. Performed by candlelight by members of the Lexington Historical Society, The Lexington Militia and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot. This is an even that sells out, so reserve your seats early by calling (781) 862–1703. Please see In Their Own Words for more information. |
 |
Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride, as recounted in the not so accurate poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, started in Charlestown with the purpose of alerting John Hancock and Samuel Adams about the departure of the British Regulars from Boston headed West.
|
 |
Revere arrived at the house of Rev. Jonas Clarke where Hancock and Adams were staying at about midnight on April 18th, 1775.
The Lexington Historical Society along with the Lexington Minute Men and the National Lancers re-creates Paul Revere’s arrival at midnight at the Hancock-Clarke House, complete with the drama of the reactions of the occupants of the house. For more information about this historic event, please see Paul Revere’s Ride.
The Lexington Historical Society along with the Lexington Minute Men and the National Lancers re-creates Paul Revere’s arrival at midnight at the Hancock-Clarke House, complete with the drama of the reactions of the occupants of the house. For more information about this historic event, please see Paul Revere’s Ride.
Early, Patriots' Day Morning
The Battle of Lexington started at about 4:30am on April 19, 1775. As a consideration to modern customs, the re-enactment doesn’t start until an hour later, when the bell is rung from the Old Belfry at 5:30am! People come to Lexington on Patriots’ Day from all over the country — and the world — to see this event. And they arrive early (4–5am) to get a good location for viewing the battle.
Note: This year the parade is on Sunday instead of Monday
The observance starts at 5:30am with the ringing of the bell calling all Minute Men to the Lexington Green to defend Lexington from the approaching Redcoats. Activities continue throughout the day until about 4pm when those who have made it to all of the activities make a hasty retreat to their homes for that nap. During this period, you can see the battle, have a hearty pancake breakfast while supporting one of several civic organizations in Lexington, see the awarding of yearly prizes to Lexington residents for outstanding service to the community, learn about the American Revolution at the Lexington Historic Society’s Depot Building, have lunch and then find a good spot for viewing the annual Patriots’ Day Parade. And that is only a sampling of the day’s events.
Note: This year the parade is on Sunday instead of Monday
The observance starts at 5:30am with the ringing of the bell calling all Minute Men to the Lexington Green to defend Lexington from the approaching Redcoats. Activities continue throughout the day until about 4pm when those who have made it to all of the activities make a hasty retreat to their homes for that nap. During this period, you can see the battle, have a hearty pancake breakfast while supporting one of several civic organizations in Lexington, see the awarding of yearly prizes to Lexington residents for outstanding service to the community, learn about the American Revolution at the Lexington Historic Society’s Depot Building, have lunch and then find a good spot for viewing the annual Patriots’ Day Parade. And that is only a sampling of the day’s events.
The alarm calling the Minute Men to the Green to defend Lexington from the advancing British Redcoats is rung at 5:30am. In 1775, the Belfry was on the Green, but today it is located at the top of Belfry Hill at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Clarke Street. This is the start of the days activities and is soon followed by Minute Men coming out of Buckman Tavern where they had spent the night after Paul Revere’s warning about the approaching British.
|
 |
This certainly didn’t happen on April 19th 1775: An introduction to the Battle and a guide to what the you the visitor will see unfold in the next half hour. Each year, the story of the Battle of Lexington is presented by the Lexington Minute Men Company. This 10 minute explanation is really useful because once the action begins everything unfolds rather quickly.
|
 |
After the narrative, you will start to hear the sounds of the Redcoats coming from the East of the Green and the Patriots coming from Buckman Tavern, the yellow building across the street from the Green. The two forces couldn’t be more different: The Patriots are a rag-tag bunch of men of all ages dressed in their everyday clothing. The Redcoats are, well, dressed in their bright red uniforms which exude the arrogance, power and might of the British ruling force. Leading the Patriots is Captain John Parker, a recent returnee from the French and Indian wars and a local wheelwright. Leading the British forces is a black and yellow clad Major Pitcairn, who barks out orders to his troops.
Lexington wasn’t a scheduled stop for the British: They were focused on going to Concord to capture an ammunition cache. But the Lexington Minute Men stood in their way on Lexington Green, leading Major Pitcairn to swing his sword, and say, “Lay down your arms, you damned rebels”. In a deposition taken later, Capt. John Parker testified: “I … ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us; and, upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire:—Immediately said Troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our Party without receiving any Provocation therefor from us.” No one knows who fired the first shot, but once a shot was fired a lot more ensued. The regulars charged forward with their bayonets, driving the Patriots off the green into nearby woods to the north. Once the shooting was over, eight Minute Men were dead and ten wounded. At this point, the Redcoats reassemble, shout three loud “Huzzah”s, fire a round in victory, and march off to Concord. And that was the first shot, the “shot heard ‘round the world” of the American Revolution. |
 Minutemen form on the Lexington Green  Pitcairn Leads British onto Lexington Green  Redcoats show of force to get Patriots to disperse  Women and children attend to dead and wounded Patriots |
 Redcoats on the left and Patriots on the right |
 Redcoats fire victory volley |
Patriots' Day Morning- Following Reenactment
Patriots’ Day attracts a large crowd to Lexington. By the end of the battle, you will be hungry. Several organizations in Town use this opportunity for a win-win situation: By attending one of the Pancake Breakfasts, you will get a good breakfast at a reasonable price and the organization will make money to support their programs. Below is a list of the Organizations that hold Pancake Breakfasts on Patriots’ Day.
|
 |
The Patriots’ Day parade in Lexington got to be so big that kids groups got lost among all of the floats and bands. So it was decided to create an entirely separate parade for a variety of youth organizations such as Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League Teams, Youth Soccer, School Bands, etc. The Parade starts at the Munroe Cemetery Driveway and proceeds through Lexington Center and onto the Green.
|
 |
Each year the Town of Lexington presents awards to residents for their accomplishments to the benefit of Lexington. It is fitting that these awards be presented on Patriots’ Day, the most important town celebration. Awards include the Minuteman Cane, Outstanding Youth Award, White Tricorne Hat, and the Dan H. Fenn Lexington Minuteman Grant. More information about these awards can be read in the announcement requesting nominations.
|
|
Orientation film about The Battle of Lexington shown on the hour. Questions and answer session with reenactors following the film.
$3 Adults/$1 Child Tickets sold at the door |
|
The Lexington Lions Club sponsors one of the oldest road races in the United States. First run in 1914, the Patriots Day Five Mile Road Race has a long and rich tradition for runners from Lexington to all over the country.
|
 |
Need a little break from all of the History on Patriots’ Day? How about taking a look at some art?
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society (LACS) and the Lexington-Antony Sister City Association (LASCA) Patriots Day Festivities invites the public to view a special exhibit in the Plummer Studio, 130 Waltham Street, Lexington. The event is in celebration of the visit by the Antony Delegation visiting from our French Sister City and the connection made in 1988 when a group of our Lexington Artists exhibited at the Salon International du Jumelage, Antony. On view will be work by those artists: Natalie Warshawer, Gracia Dayton, Caroline Di Nunzio and Betty Savenor and the artists of LACS. Also, on exhibit in the Parson Gallery, “Artisans Potpourri” exhibit of work by the Decorative Arts and Weavers Guild. Exhibit runs until April 25th. Gallery Hours: 10am to 2pm. Admission is Free. Then, look for our floats in the Parade. Members created two floats along with the students from the Minuteman Vocational Tech High School; The Antony/Lexington Float and the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, 75th Anniversary Float. |
 |
Members of the Lexington Chapter in colonial dress meet in front of Buckman Tavern to join members of the Lexington Minute Men in memorial services and to place a wreath at the obelisk across the Green honoring the eight Patriots who fell in the battle.
|
 |
The memorial’s five granite markers are dedicated to the memory of those who served aboard the ships that have been named USS Lexington.
|
|
Celebrate Patriots’ Day with arts & crafts activities exploring life in 1775 $5 family-members/$7 family-non-members
|
 |
Presented by the Hancock Church Bell Choir. For more information please call (781) 862–4220.
|
 |
Enjoy an a la carte lunch reflecting fare from 1775. Eat in or take out. |
 |
Patriots' Day Afternoon
Paul Revere makes another appearance, this time at a more reasonable, if historically inaccurate hour. For more information about this, please see Paul Revere’s Ride.
|
 |
-- Marsha Baker & Harry Forsdick
with thanks to Katherine Reem and Paul Garmon for some of the photographs
with thanks to Katherine Reem and Paul Garmon for some of the photographs
