Saratoga, NY - Tonight in partnership with Saratoga 250, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and her family will be lighting two lanterns in their home window in Schuylerville commemorating Paul Revere’s historic midnight ride 250 years ago.
Stefanik shared the following to commemorate this historic moment in our nation’s history:
"On this day, we proudly commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s historic midnight ride on April 18, 1775—a courageous act that ignited the spark of the American Revolution. This pivotal moment, born from the resolve of patriots in the face of tyranny and insurmountable odds, remains a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of liberty that defines our nation.
By 1775, British policies had strained the American colonies. In response, colonists stockpiled arms in Concord and formed militias known as Minutemen. When British General Thomas Gage planned a march to seize these munitions and arrest Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington, the stage was set for Revere’s legendary ride.
On the night of April 18, Paul Revere sprang into action. Alerted by Dr. Joseph Warren, Revere arranged a signal—two lanterns hung in the Old North Church steeple—to warn that British troops were crossing the Charles River by boat. Revere rowed across the river to Charlestown, and he mounted a borrowed horse and rode through the night, alerting the towns of Medford and Lexington. Alongside William Dawes and later Dr. Samuel Prescott, who carried the warning to Concord, Revere’s efforts ensured the Patriots were ready. Despite a brief detention by British patrols, the message reached its mark, mobilizing citizen militias for the battles of Lexington and Concord—the first shots of the Revolution.
The bravery of Revere, Dawes, Prescott, and countless others who spread the alarm set the stage for the historic stand at Lexington Green and Concord’s North Bridge on April 19, 1775, where ordinary citizens confronted a global empire. These events galvanized the colonies, proving that the cause of liberty was worth fighting for.
As we mark this 250th anniversary in New York’s 21st District and across our great nation, we honor the courage and sacrifice of all who risked everything to secure our freedoms."
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