April 19, 1775 - Commemorating the Start of the American Revolution
It’s April 19, 1975—the 200th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. The Vietnam War is still ongoing. Gerald Ford is president, and the country is trying to heal from the Watergate scandal. It is grappling with the environment—pollution is out of control in our water and in our air. Frank Robinson became the first black manager in MLB history that year.
And We the People still had our freedoms, so we celebrate!
Major bicentennial celebrations were held in Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. Thousands of spectators gather at the North Bridge to witness the events. President Ford delivers his speech at the site, appealing for national unity. Re-enactments, parades, and also protests took place that day.
50 years ago, my good friends traveled from Chelmsford to Concord Center without a car, hitchhiking rides along the way, to join the celebration. They came to celebrate and to protest corporate greed. They were notable in their attire and enthusiasm, and the media took notice. Their photo is an iconic remembrance of that day, appearing on the front page of the Lowell Sun and even in The New York Times.
April 19, 1975 Concord, MA
Fifty years later, and on April 19, 2025, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. We celebrate the brave patriots who risked their lives for the liberties and freedoms we hold so dear. Again my friends travel to the site where it all began. Where patriots fought for freedom and liberty. This time I am with them, standing in for our friend who passed away at an early age. As we celebrate, we also quietly protest against a laundry list of infringements on our civil liberties by the current administration and the MAGA Republican Congress who do nothing to rein it in.
The events in 2025 at Concord brought large crowds, many protesting quietly with signage. This year, the police and military are present, making sure we are all safe. And it feels to me that they are in complete support of our fight for liberties and rights. Again we stood in the same spot, 50 years later, to commemorate why we are here: to celebrate our freedom and liberties, as we continue to fight for them. Today's patriots.
April 19, 2025 Concord, MA
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