11 minute read
Lexington
The Minute Man stands ever at the ready, musket in hand, poised to defend his rights. Behind him flaps the American flag, a summary of all he fought and died for in the American Revolution. It is here at the triangular-shaped Battle Green in Lexington, Massachusetts, that our nation’s fight for independence began.
Who Fired First?
On the morning of April 19, 1775, 77 militia under the leadership of Captain John Parker defiantly faced 700 redcoated British Regulars under the command of Major John Pitcairn on Lexington Common (later renamed Lexington Battle Green).
Each town in what was known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, had a volunteer militia company, comprised of men age 16-60. In 1774, the Provincial Congress, led by John Hancock, recommended every town form “minute companies” that would be ready to march at a moment’s notice. The term Minute Men was often used interchangeably with militia.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN LIBERTY
By CLAUDIA NEWCORN
Capt. Parker did not intend to fight, according to historians, but to only make a display of patriotic resolve. He famously declared, “Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if there means to be a war, let it begin here.”
At Maj. Pitcairn’s orders to disperse, the Minute Men slowly obeyed. Then a shot rang out, followed by a fusillade as the British soldiers, ignoring commands to stop, began firing at the fleeing Minute Men. When the battle was done, eight of them lay dead, 10 were wounded. Nobody ever determined who actually fired that first shot, but it triggered a war that would last more than eight years, and cost over 45,000 people their lives.
300 Years of History
Originally settled in 1642, Lexington, just 14 miles Northwest of Boston, was incorporated in 1713. Proud of their role in the Revolutionary War, the town has preserved much of its heritage through the restoration and maintenance of sites and original 18th Century historic homes that witnessed the battle and hosted such famous patriots as John Hancock and Samuel Adams; some are open to the public on a seasonal basis.
Battle Green itself is a National Historic Landmark.
Each year in April, a living history event emerges at 5:45AM on Patriot’s Day. The Lexington Minute Men Company and British Tenth Regiment of Foot reenact the battle in great detail, thrilling large crowds. Each Minute Man in the company is required to research and portray one of the original militia members in order
to preserve the memory of those who answered that long-ago morning’s call to arms. The first known re-enactment took place on April 19, 1822.
The American flag flies over Battle Green 24 hours a day by an Act of Congress. Completed on July 4, 1799, America’s oldest war memorial is also there, where seven of the eight Minute Men who died are buried. Interestingly, this is not
their original resting site. They were first buried in the common grave at Ye Olde Burying Ground, and exhumed and reburied in 1835. The names of the men who took part in the battle are inscribed on the rear of the monument. Those killed have a star engraved beside their name; those wounded, a small heart.
A special monument is dedicated to Prince Estabrook, the first AfricanAmerican solider to fight in the Revolution. Wounded in the battle, the 35-year-old slave served in the militia, and later served in the Continental Army for much of the war. He died at age 90 in 1830, a free man, as slavery was abolished in Massachusetts in 1783.
The Minute Man Statue is a (relatively) new addition to the historic site. Erected in 1900, and sculpted by Henry Hudson Kitson, it is said to be a likeness of Captain Parker. Facing the direction from with the British Regulars approached, it stands on what was originally a drinking fountain for horses. Parker’s musket is on display in the Senate Chamber at the Massachusetts State House.
In 2025, Lexington will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Battle. The nearby Lexington Visitors Center is a must-stop place. It offers a wealth of historic information and guided tours (www. tourlexington.us).
Today, what was once largely open farmland is dotted with houses is a bustling community of tree-lined streets, shops and homes. Yet as you stand looking up at the stern gaze of Capt. Parker’s statue, you can glimpse the determination of purpose which would lead people to fight for a Constitution in which “all men are created equal,” and lay the foundation for the United State of America. ●
By SABRA STAFFORD
The 209 will be donning their red, white and blue on the Fourth of July, with the region offering plenty of options to mark the patriotic celebration - from parades to fireworks to chili cook offs and runs.
ALL DAY AND NIGHT FESTIVITIES
The City of Galt is hosting an all day and night Independence celebration on July 2. The day will start at 7:30 a.m. at City hall with the Officer Tonn Memorial 5K run/walk. Registration is $15 for youth and $35 for adults. The Independence Parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at C Street and continue to Fourth Street and then E Street. A family fun festival with live music will be at Veteran’s Field at 6 p.m. with an admission cost of $5. The Gora Aquatic Center will offer swimming from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available at www.cityofgalt.org. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Soccer Field.
The City of Atwater is celebrating their 100th year with a Fourth of July festival that starts at 9:30 a.m. with a parade. Parade begins at the corner of Elm and Winton Way, turns left onto Broadway, turns left onto 3rd Street and ends at the corner of Juniper and 3rd Street. A festival will follow the parade at Ralston Park with vendors, food, live music and games. Fireworks will close out the night.
The Gustine Chamber of Commerce invites people to experience a bit of small town Americana with their July 4th Celebration. The festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on 5th Street in downtown Gustine. Following the parade is a party in Henry Miller Park with vendors, music, games and food. Bullfights are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the Gustine Museum is open for tours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fireworks start around dusk and seats are available at Gustine High School stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
PARADES
The United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County is hosting a 4th of July parade in downtown Stockton at the Civic Auditorium at 525 N. El Dorado St., at 10 a.m.
The Modesto Kiwanis Club and the City of Modesto will hold the annual Fourth of July parade at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Modesto. Visit https:// modestojulyparade.com for parade route.
FIREWORKS
A fireworks show will start at 7 p.m. July 4 at Tracy High Stadium at 315 E. 11th St. The cost is $4.
The City of Stockton will hold a fireworks show at Weber Point. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with entertainment and food. The fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m.
FOOD
The VFW Post 8254 and DAV California Chapter 118 are hosting the first 4th of July Chili Cook Off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 4 at 215 S. Amador St. in Ione. ●
By MARG JACKSON
There’s sure to be at least one – and probably more – clowns in the Fourth of July parade in Columbia on Monday, July 4, bringing smiles to the faces of parade watchers.
It’s an event not to be missed.
The annual Fourth of July celebration hosted in historic Columbia is gearing up for a banner year.
“It is small town America at its best,” explained Jo Rodefer, treasurer for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the once-a-yearparty, officially known as Columbia’s Glorious Fourth of July Celebration.
This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Monday.
“Everything is free except for the barbecue,” Rodefer added of the day’s activities, which include something for everyone in the family. “There are games for kids and adults and one of the highlights is a greased pole competition.”
Aimed primarily at the younger set, there is a ‘starter’ pole for the youngest participants and a slightly taller pole for the older kids. Rodefer said many people returning to the Fourth of July festivities as adults fondly remember their time trying to reach the top of the greased pole as children.
“We lube that thing up,” she said, “and there’s money at the top.”
The goal, of course, is to be the one that conquers the greased pole and earns the prize money.
“It’s a little goofy,” Rodefer admitted, “but it’s a blast.”
All of the events are situated in historic downtown Columbia, amidst the businesses and quaint shops, the blacksmith’s area and with the one room schoolhouse on the hill in view.
Official events start with a band playing at 11 a.m. and the parade starts at noon.
As people arrive and start to settle in for the music and pageantry of the parade, Rodefer said they offer a ‘Needle in the Haystack’ game for kids to keep them entertained, with a bale of straw scattered around and plastic crochet hooks hid in the straw.
“The kids scramble around to find them,” Rodefer said.
At 11 a.m., the American flag is raised, those in attendance are asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance and there is an Honor Guard, then music by the band. The parade forms up and steps off at noon; there is no charge to be in the parade and the sign-ups start at 10:30 a.m. on July 4 to make sure people get a spot in the parade.
Rodefer described the parade as having some of the “goofiest and funniest” entries, the more colorful the better.
“Put your grandkids in the parade, put your dogs in the parade,” she said.
All the businesses in town are open for the day so besides taking in the wide varsity of special activities, Rodefer said it’s “just fun” to walk around the historic community.
Other special features for July 4 include:
A demonstration of Papeete, which was a state-of-the-art piece of firefighting equipment in the 1800s, a hand pump that takes a lot of volunteers to operate.
A cake walk, played like musical chairs, with a cake the ultimate prize.
A watermelon eating contest.
An egg relay race for youngsters where they have to run with an egg on a spoon and be the first to complete the course without breaking the egg.
An adult egg toss, with teams of
Smiling for the camera, these two were dressed up and ready to enjoy a previous Glorious Fourth of July Celebration in Columbia State Historic Park.
One of the games of years past draws plenty of young competitors and a crowd to cheer them on at the greased pole contest.
two tossing the egg back and forth, getting farther apart a er each successful toss. Last team standing with an unbroken egg wins.
A ‘ ve-way’ tug of war that can feature di erent team scenarios, whether it’s 2 vs. 3, 4 vs. 1 or everyone for themselves, played with a specially made rope.
“We try to keep the games very historic,” Rodefer noted.
Also planned is a Bucket Brigade demonstration of how res used to be fought, with the buckets of water passed from one team member to the next, and the Blacksmith’s Shop hosts a nail pounding contest.
Rodefer said she particularly enjoys watching the various egg races.
“Some grown-ups practice all year (for the egg toss) and with the kids, we end up with broken eggs all over the place,” she said. “It’s such great fun, there is wild cheering.”
And don’t worry about the mess, as the hand-pump re apparatus can be used to not only shower the crowd with cool water but also can help clear away the egg debris. e barbecue meal details will be worked out by the date of the event, including cost, but Rodefer said it is always a good, lling meal perfect for a holiday gathering. e Fourth of July celebration in Columbia was not held in 2020 but made a return last year and Rodefer anticipates an even bigger and better event for 2022.
“My husband and I came up here from Southern California and I was originally a history major,” she explained of embracing the historic standing of Columbia.
“We have what might have been going on 100 years ago,” she added of the Independence Day fun. “People come from all over the place; we have thousands here. It is the busiest day of the year for all the businesses in town.”
Columbia State Historic Park is at 22708 Broadway St., Columbia, three miles north of Sonora off Highway 49.
For more information about the Glorious Fourth of July Celebration, visit the website: www.visitcolumbiacalifornia. com or call the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at 888488-1850. ●
