KIDPROJ MCC: Patriot's

A Page From the KIDPROJ Multi-Cultural Calendar
Patriot's - USA
by Karen Billmers

19 April

Patriot's Day in Massachusetts

Hi! This is Karen Billmers and I would like to talk to you about Patriot's Day. It is very important to Massachusetts because that is where the Revolutionary War all took place in 1775. The first gun-shot was fired on April 19. I live in Lexington where the battle green is that was used during the fighting. This war was between the Red Coats and the Minutemen. They were called Minutemen because when the Red Coats were coming, they could get ready in a minute. A very important person that helped was Paul Revere. He came out riding on his horse on April 18 (my birthday) at night. He waited and watched for the British to come and as soon as he saw a sign from someone else in a lighthouse, he began to ride through the streets yelling, "The British are coming, the British are coming!" and warned all of the people to prepare themselves and for the men to get ready for battle. That is how the Americans won their freedom. In the Lexington Center lies the Battle Green and all of the historic houses and taverns including Buckman Tavern and there is the Bellfry Tower. You can visit these important buildings and if you own a house in historical Lexington, you are not allowed to repaint your house unless it is a color that they had back then. To celebrate Patriot's Day, we get a week off from school in April over the holiday. There is also a parade in the morning and the afternoon where many different groups of people such as girl scout troops and boy scout troops and parts of armies and navies and others come. Also, funny things come like clowns and motorcycles doing stunts drive around. Everyone parades to the battle green. Also, sometimes elementary grades take a field trip to the battle green and Historic Lexington around that time. But one of the most fun event that happens is the Reinactment. It is supposed to be the way the battle happened. Many people are chosen to dress up as certain people and at about 5:00 A.M., the action starts. Thousands of people gather around the battle field at 2:00 A.M. to get a good view. People come from everywhere to see it. Finally the Reinactment starts. Wives and children dressed up start talking, worrying about their husbands or fathers. The men march in. Rifles sound. Many people fall to the ground. Smoke is everywhere. Ear piercing cries echo through the air. Blood (fake) is scattered all over people. At last it is over and the minutemen have won for now. After that, usually everyone stays for the parade or visits the Historic Lexington houses and taverns. Even though the people of Lexington have seen the sights many, many times, it is always fun to go back to your true history.

Karen Billmers

Diane Eisner's class
Massachusetts
<eisner_pink@stu.ci.lexington.ma.us>

Other Entries For This:
[Holiday] [Country] [Author] [Month]