On Saturday morning, April 19, 1975, two skirmishes between American Colonials and British Regulars were reenacted at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the nation's Bicentennial celebration.

The initial commemorative event was the confrontation between British troops and American Minutemen at, the Town Green in Lexington. Spectators began lining the Green at about 3:00 a.m. By 5:30 a.m. there were more than 30,000 people standing six to seven deep around the square. Hundreds watched from rooftops, porches, and trees. Shortly before dawn, three buses carried the 200 men who would portray the British troops to the east end of the town. The spectators met the troops with cheers and good nature d heckling.

At 5:40 the canon from nearby Buckman's Tavern fired, and the Lexington Militia ran onto the Green. The spectators responded with a loud cheer as the men emerged from their rallying point inside the tavern.