In 1775, the first battles of the American Revolution occurred outside of Boston. While attempting to warn the colonials of the British approach, patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes were arrested in Lexington. Only Dr. Samuel Prescott, who had joined them, made it to Concord to give the alarm. The colonial militia met British forces at Lexington and Concord outside of Boston. Bunker Hill, overlooking Boston Harbor, was lost to the British. Even though Americans did not force the British to leave Boston, they were a reminder to the rest of the colonies to continue to fight!
Finally in 1776, General George Washington drove the British out of Boston. The shot heard around the world was symbolic; it represented the right of people to fight for freedom in their own lands.
