What event is often considered the beginning of the American Revolution?

The battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 are often considered the beginning of the American Revolution because they marked the first military engagements between British troops and colonial militia. These confrontations occurred on April 19, 1775, and are famously remembered for the phrase "the shot heard 'round the world," signifying that the conflict had escalated from political tensions and protests into open warfare.

Prior to these battles, there were significant events, such as the Boston Tea Party and the formation of the First Continental Congress, that contributed to the growing discontent with British rule. However, they did not involve actual fighting. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, which occurred in 1776, is a pivotal moment in U.S. history, but it came after tensions had already erupted into armed conflict. Thus, the battles of Lexington and Concord are critical as they represent the transition from protest to revolution, firmly establishing the colonial desire for independence through armed resistance.