Revolutionary War’s Opening Shots Replayed

CONCORD, Mass. —  Colonial minutemen drove British redcoats from the Old North Bridge on Saturday--just as they did 225 years ago when the “shot heard ‘round the world” opened the Revolutionary War.

Thousands of war re-enactors from across the United States, Canada and England gathered in Lexington and Concord, and as many as 200,000 spectators were expected to watch the weekend reenactments, including Paul Revere’s ride and the legendary battle at the bridge in Concord.

At dawn Saturday, mock gunfire sounded across Lexington’s village green, now hemmed in by houses that didn’t exist 225 years ago.

The reenactment will deal with events that occurred starting April 18, 1775, culminating in a battle where the British sustained 273 casualties to 95 for the Colonists.