By Elizabeth Sheehy

April 19, 2025 marked the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In 1775, British troops aimed to seize military supplies stored by colonial militiamen in Concord, in the hopes of suppressing further rebellion. The colonists were warned of the impending arrival of the redcoats by Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride through the Massachusetts countryside, memorialized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem. 

The skirmish that resulted in a Patriot victory is known as the “shot heard round the world,” and is regarded as the official start of the successful American War of Independence. In Massachusetts (and six other states) April 19th is a legal holiday known as Patriots Day, and traditionally is the day of the Boston Marathon, as well as a morning Red Sox game at Fenway Park. This year, Patriot Day celebrations also marked the start of America250, the nationwide commemoration of our nation’s founding with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 

Localities across the country will participate by highlighting historical events, cultural diversity, freedom, and community. Information about the celebrations, which will span more than a year, culminating in a nationwide birthday party of July 4, 2026, can be found at:

In 1976, during the nation’s Bicentennial (200th birthday), Lyon Park created several special community projects. That year marks the start of the Lyon Park Citizen newsletter, published for the first time in September 1976. If anyone has editions from the first two years, the history committee would love copies! Another wonderful project was the planting of red, white, and blue flowers in the gardens throughout Lyon Park. For those who lived in Lyon park at the time, what else was done to commemorate the Bicentennial?

Lyon Park is a very special community and an official Historic District. We need to start planning for next year’s celebration. Come to the LPCA meeting on May 8 to share your ideas, or drop a note to lyonparkpresident@gmail.com. This is the chance not only to look back, but to look forward and create wonderful NEW memories and future opportunities.

And mark your calendars for Lyon Park’s own launch of the Semiquincentennial (quarter millennial or 250 years) Celebration at the Lyon Park Picnic in two months on Saturday, July 26 starting at 4 p.m. There will be games, music, ice cream and more! Sign up today to help or donate at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A48ACA92FA4FB6-55905801-lyon#/