Profile of the Day: Paul Revere

As the British began their approach towards Lexington and Concord on the night of April 18, 1775, Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback to warn the American colonists of the approaching British troops.

Image: Paul Revere’s Ride / Wikimedia Commons

The British had planned to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were known to be hiding in Lexington, and confiscate supplies stored by the Massachusetts militia at Concord. Revere and Dawes set out on different routes towards Lexington in the event one would be captured. After reaching Lexington, they were joined by a young patriot named Samuel Prescott. As they made their way towards Concord, the riders were met on the road by British officers. The three set off in different directions to escape, however, Revere was eventually captured. In his escape, Dawes lost his horse and was forced to walk back to Lexington. Only Prescott would finish his ride and arrive to Concord.

The warnings by Revere and his fellow riders allowed the militias to successfully mobilize and confront the British troops when they arrived, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

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