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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T051500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T070000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
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SUMMARY:Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington
DESCRIPTION:The Lexington Minute Men will conduct the 250th Anniversary Reenactment of the Civilian Evacuation of the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Lexington on the Lexington Battle Green on Saturday\, April 19\, 2025. \nAccording to the Lexington History Museums\, on the night of April 18\, 1775\, over 700 British soldiers were sent from Boston to Concord to destroy a store of ammunition and other supplies for an anticipated war. As dawn approached on the fateful following morning\, the town militia of Lexington stood in anxious anticipation to stand in their way. The two groups squared off on the town common\, a single\, mysterious shot rang out\, and the British soldiers opened fire. When the smoke cleared\, eight Americans lay dead\, another 10 were wounded\, and a war for independence had begun. \nEach year\, the Town of Lexington and a dedicated corps of reenactors recreate this event in real time on its original site. This year\, the event will take place on the exact anniversary of the battle. \nThe passionate and committed groups of reenactors muster around 5 a.m.\, and the bell in the Belfry will ring and the Battle will commence at 5:15 a.m. \nAttendees should arrive early!
URL:https://lex250.org/event/reenactment-of-the-battle-of-lexington/
LOCATION:Lexington Battle Green\, Lexington Battle Green\, Lexington\, MA\, 02421\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family Friendly,Free,Lex250,Outside
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T090000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
CREATED:20250310T193939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250310T194337Z
UID:10000283-1745053200-1745053200@lex250.org
SUMMARY:USS Lexington Ceremony
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington\, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution​. On the morning of April 19\, 1775\, colonial militia and British Regulars exchanged the “shot heard ’round the world” on Lexington Green\, marking the very beginning of America’s fight for independence​. This annual ceremony honors that legacy – not only remembering the patriots who fell in 1775\, but also celebrating the enduring ties between the Town of Lexington and the five U.S. Navy vessels that proudly bore the name “USS Lexington” in later years​. In this Semiquincentennial year\, the commemoration is especially meaningful\, uniting historians\, veterans\, local residents\, and visitors in tribute to 250 years of courage and sacrifice. \nHosted by:  \nThe Lexington Lions Club\, in partnership with the Town of Lexington. Veterans\, Gold Star Mothers\, and former crew member families of USS Lexington (CV-2 and CV-16) will be honored guests and participants​. Local dignitaries and officials will also be in attendance. \nLocation: USS Lexington Memorial – adjacent to the Lexington Visitors Center\, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue\, Lexington\, MA​. (Ceremony will take place outdoors\, next to the Visitors Center in Lexington Center.) \nAdmission: Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. No tickets or reservations required. \nAccessibility: The memorial site is wheelchair accessible\, and seating may be available for seniors/veterans. Visitors Center facilities (restrooms\, information desk) will be open for attendees. \nCeremony Highlights \nCommemorative Program: The ceremony will begin with a presentation of the colors and the National Anthem. A moment of silence will honor the patriots of 1775 and the naval service members connected to Lexington’s legacy. \nWreath-Laying: In a poignant tribute\, wreaths will be laid at the USS Lexington Memorial to honor all who sacrificed – from the Lexington Minutemen who fell on the Green to the sailors who served on the five USS Lexington ships. This solemn wreath-laying is a central part of the observance each year\, symbolizing our community’s respect and remembrance. \nGuest Speakers: Attendees will hear brief remarks from invited speakers who bring personal and historical perspectives. Local historians will reflect on Lexington’s role at the dawn of the Revolution\, while military veterans (including representatives of the USS Lexington CV-16 Association) will share what the name Lexington means to those who served at sea. Town officials and community leaders are also expected to speak\, underscoring Lexington’s continued dedication to honoring its history. \nHonoring the USS Lexington Legacy: A key theme of the ceremony is celebrating the service of the five naval vessels named Lexington​. The program will highlight stories from each ship’s history – for instance\, noting the WW-II exploits of “Lady Lex” and the “Blue Ghost\,” or recalling how the first Lexington was named for the very battle we commemorate​. By connecting these narratives\, the ceremony paints a vivid picture of Lexington’s impact on American history both on land and at sea. \nCommunity Involvement: The event will include patriotic music performed by the Lexington High School Band. Members of local organizations – from the Lexington Minute Men Company to the Lexington Veterans Association – will participate\, standing alongside active-duty military representatives and public safety color guards. This joint involvement emphasizes the community-wide respect for those who defend our freedom. \nAs this is the Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary\, the 2025 ceremony may feature special recognitions. Keep an eye out for any historical reenactors or ceremonial salutes incorporated into the program to mark this once-in-a-generation milestone. The tone of the event will be both educational and commemorative – suitable for history enthusiasts and families alike. Attending the USS Lexington Ceremony is a chance to witness history come alive\, and to be part of Lexington’s ongoing story of remembrance and patriotism. \n Historical Background: Lexington’s Legacy from 1775 to WWII \nThe Battle of Lexington on April 19\, 1775 was the first battle of the American Revolution​. Facing a column of British Redcoats at dawn\, Lexington’s minutemen bravely stood their ground; though outnumbered\, their defiance sparked a war that would lead to American independence​. The heroism shown on Lexington Green resonated across the colonies and the world\, embedding the town’s name in the annals of history. To honor that courageous stand\, the young American navy christened one of its first warships USS Lexington in 1776\, “renamed in honor of the courageous Lexington minutemen”​. This 16-gun brigantine captured multiple British ships before ultimately being overpowered off the French coast\, demonstrating that the spirit of Lexington was present at sea in the Revolution’s earliest days​. \nOver the next two centuries\, five U.S. Navy ships would carry the name USS Lexington\, each embodying the valor and fighting spirit of 1775. The second Lexington (a sloop-of-war launched in 1825) upheld American interests from the Falkland Islands to the coast of Japan in the 1800s​. The third\, a Civil War timberclad gunboat\, spearheaded Union river operations – fighting in key battles like Fort Donelson\, Shiloh\, and the Vicksburg campaign​. In the 20th century\, the name Lexington reached new prominence with two famed aircraft carriers. USS Lexington (CV-2) – nicknamed “Lady Lex” – was built in Quincy\, MA and became one of the U.S. Navy’s first fleet carriers​. In World War II\, Lady Lex’s air squadrons scored a crucial victory by sinking the first Japanese aircraft carrier of the war (at the Battle of the Coral Sea)\, before Lexington (CV-2) was herself lost in that 1942 battle​. Her successor\, USS Lexington (CV-16) – the “Blue Ghost” – was also built at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy and commissioned in Boston in 1943​. The Blue Ghost earned an illustrious combat record in the Pacific\, participating in 35 engagements and earning 11 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for her service​. (In fact\, more aircraft landed on Lexington (CV-16) than on any other carrier in history\, a testament to her long service as a training carrier after the war​.) Through each of these vessels – from a Revolutionary War brigantine to a WW-II fleet carrier – the name Lexington has symbolized American perseverance. The annual USS Lexington Ceremony brings this remarkable legacy home\, connecting the town’s pivotal Revolutionary moment with the bravery of sailors who served on the Lexington ships in later generations​. \nThe USS Lexington Memorial in Lexington \nLocated adjacent to the Lexington Visitors Center\, the USS Lexington Memorial is a striking tribute that bridges local and naval history. The memorial consists of five granite markers\, each dedicated to one of the five ships named Lexington\, and “dedicated to the memory of those who served aboard” these Navy vessels​. Erected in 1988 through a joint effort by the Lexington Lions Club and veterans from USS Lexington (CV-2 and CV-16)​\, the monument ensures that the service of all Lexington crews – from 1776 through World War II – is forever remembered in the heart of the town. Each stone marker bears a brief history of a USS Lexington\, allowing visitors to reflect on the ships’ heroic exploits (for example\, the Civil War gunboat’s valor at Shiloh\, or the carriers’ Pacific triumphs) as they stroll through this small memorial park​. Fittingly\, the USS Lexington ship’s bell is also on display at the Visitors Center next door\, offering a tangible piece of naval history for visitors to see up close​. The memorial has become a beloved landmark—externally viewable year-round​—and a focal point for community remembrance. For decades\, Lexington’s citizens and veterans have gathered at this memorial each Patriots’ Day to pay tribute. Every year on the Patriots’ Day holiday (the third Monday in April)\, the Lexington Lions Club joins forces with surviving crew members of USS Lexington (from the WWII-era carriers) to hold a remembrance ceremony​. This tradition carries on in 2025 with added significance\, as the town marks 250 years since the battle that gave Lexington its name. The memorial stands not just as a record of naval history\, but as a symbol of the town’s pride and the continuing bond between Lexington and the U.S. armed forces.
URL:https://lex250.org/event/uss-lexington-ceremony/
LOCATION:USS Lexington Memorial\, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Accesibility,Community Engagement,Family Friendly,Free,Living History,Outside
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
CREATED:20250108T152601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T152610Z
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SUMMARY:American Elm Tree Dedication in Honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution\, this public ceremony will include a tree dedication service\, U.S. Flag rituals\, patriotic music by the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps\, and participation by the Lexington Minute Men. \nThe event will take place on the lawn behind Buckman tavern in Lexington Center.
URL:https://lex250.org/event/american-elm-tree-dedication-in-honor-of-the-250th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-lexington/
LOCATION:Buckman Tavern\, 1 Bedford Street\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Engagement,Family Friendly,Free,Outside
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T123000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
CREATED:20250204T172330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T202724Z
UID:10000269-1745059500-1745065800@lex250.org
SUMMARY:Battle Green Rededication
DESCRIPTION:After the 250th Battle of Lexington Anniversary Reenactment\, the morning will pivot to an exciting and never-before-seen Patriotic Performance and demonstration by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington\, in a stunning audio/visual event meant to pay homage to America’s fight for liberty from 1775 to the present day. \nThe event will begin at 11 a.m. with the rededication of the Lexington Battle Green\, beginning with a speaking program featuring the Lex250 Commission\, state and federal government leaders\, and U.S. Army Major Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp\, Commander of U.S. Army Military District of Washington. \nThis will lead into a skydiving performance by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team\, which is scheduled to land directly on the Lexington Battle Green. This narrated event will feature a rededication of Army Combat Streamer #1\, symbolizing America’s first combat engagement symbolizing the first shots fired in the American Revolution on April 19\, 1775. \nThis will be followed by a performance by the U.S. Army Fife & Drum Corps and demonstrations by the U.S. Army Drill Team and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard\, a highly trained and skilled Special Ceremonial Unit\, which harkens back to the Continental Army unit that personally protected Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War. \nAt the end of the event\, the soldiers will disperse and mingle with the crowd for a meet and greet and photos with the public. This promises to be an exciting event for all ages! \nAny media interested in interviewing Military District of Washington service members during Lex250\, please reach out to usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@army.mil for scheduling.
URL:https://lex250.org/event/battle-green-rededication/
LOCATION:Lexington Battle Green\, Lexington Battle Green\, Lexington\, MA\, 02421\, United States
CATEGORIES:Children,Family Friendly,Free,Living History,Outside
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
CREATED:20250121T203122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250402T182323Z
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SUMMARY:Lexington's 2025 Patriots' Day Parade
DESCRIPTION:Lexington’s Patriots’ Day Parade honors Lexington’s history as the birthplace of liberty and provides a fun-filled afternoon for families of all ages. This year’s parade on Saturday\, April 19\, at 2 pm\, will be bigger and more exciting than ever. It will include reenactors\, marching bands\, floats\, fife & drums\, clowns & jugglers\, dancers\, dignitaries\, celebrities\, and the Shriners. \nThe afternoon features a 125-unit parade\, marching over 2.5 miles along Massachusetts Avenue from Maple Street to Worthen Road. \nThere will be nearly 2\,700 marchers\, reenactors\, and performers including (in no particular order): \n\nThe United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps\nThe West Point Band\nWilliam Diamond Junior Fife and Drum\nThe Spirit of ’76: Fifes and Drums\nU.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps\nNavy Band Northeast\nAncient & Honorable Artillery Co. of Mass.\nThe 6th Connecticut Regiment\n1st Delaware Regiment\nGreater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums\nMarblehead Base U.S. Submarine Veterans\nBlues Brothers\, the Next Generation\nNational Lancers\, ceremonial cavalry squadron\nHobby Knoll Stable Clydesdales\nAleppo Shriners\nLexington Minute Men\nBedford and Lincoln Minute Men\nLexington Historical Society and Lexington Scout Troops 10\, 119\, and 160 with a historic pumper fire truck\nLexington civic groups including Town Meeting members\, Lexington Youth Commission and Lexington Visitors Center\nDance performances by Artisan Dance Academy (ADA)\, Samskriti School of Dance\, The Dance Inn and db studios\n\nAdditionally\, numerous Lexington civic groups are joining the parade\, including Lexington Lions\, LexSeeHer Inc.\, Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL)\, Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL)\, Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL)\, Chinese Americans of Lexington (CALex)\, Korean-American Organization of Lexington (KoLex)\, LexFarm\, Lexington Field & Garden Club\, Lexington High School classes of 1965\, 1975 and 1985\, Lexington Goes Purple and many more! \nLineup subject to change.
URL:https://lex250.org/event/lexingtons-2025-patriots-day-parade/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:Arts,Children,Community Engagement,Family Friendly,Free,Lex250,Living History,Outside
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250419T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T143628
CREATED:20250121T203252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250409T211541Z
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SUMMARY:Lexington Bicentennial Band Concert
DESCRIPTION:The Lexington Bicentennial Band Concert will be the culmination of the Patriot’s Day Celebration for the 250th Anniversary of the first battle of the American revolution in Lexington. It will feature music related to the time period of the revolution\, including 2 works that have been commissioned by the Band: Seeds of Revolution by Daniel Lutz\, originally commissioned for Lexington’s 300th anniversary\, and the world premier of Dr. Andrew Boysen’s Symphony #11 – The Year 1775. In each case\, the composers will be conducting the Band. \nThis is a FREE EVENT – No Tickets will be issued.
URL:https://lex250.org/event/patriots-day-concert/
LOCATION:Battin Hall\, Cary Memorial Building\, 1605 Massachusetts Ave.\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Family Friendly,Free,Lex250,Music
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