Thursday, September 4, 2008

9/4/08 The Shot Heard Round the World and Two Revolutions

Though no one knew it at the time, the shot heard round the world on April 19, 1775 became the fateful day that marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. And in Lexington and Concord, we had a full day learning all about it. It was moving to be in the very spot where heroes stood …where brave acts paved the way for a new country …where Paul Revere traveled on his famous midnight ride …where minutemen spent a sleepless night preparing for the days events …where the best trained soldiers in the world, the British Regulars, spent all night marching and all day retreating and fighting …and where parents and siblings watched their loved ones die bravely.

In that same location, about one hundred years later a “Literary Revolution” began. We toured the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, saw Thoreau’s Walden Pond and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s home. They were all contemporaries and friends and lived near each other. It was fascinating to learn their personal stories.

1 comment:

Mel- said...

Oh gosh - you're in one of my favorite areas of the country - I LOVE Boston! One of my best friends got married at the Wayside Inn (Longfellows Wayside Inn)not far from where you are and I have pictures of all the places you listed today. If you get near the Plymouth Plantation, it's a great stop. And of course, check out the Freedom Trail in Boston. My friends and I got lost in little Italy and had the best lobster I've ever had.

Sooooo jealous.....

Melanie