Paul Revere's Ride

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott kept watch in Boston for the approach of British troops the day before the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution. A system had been set up whereby a scout in the bell tower of a church would hang lanterns to indicate whether the British advance was by land or sea. Upon getting the signal, Revere and Dawes set out riding across the Massachusetts countryside warning citizens to prepare for battle. The next day, the American colonists were prepared.

Related Topics:
April 18 - 1775 - Paul Revere - William Dawes - Samuel Prescott - Boston - Battle of Lexington and Concord - American Revolution - Massachusetts

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The ride was commemorated most famously by Longfellow in 1863. Longfellow embellished the narrative somewhat. His poem, however, was immensely successful in celebrating a particular tale of American bravery and preparedness, and his was one of the most frequently anthologized poems in American literary history.

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The text of the poem follows.

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