This residential suburb northwest of Boston echoed with gunfire on April 19, 1775, when a skirmish developed between local militia, dubbed Minutemen, and about 800 British troops in the first military action of the Revolutionary War. The troops were on their way to seize military supplies that were stored in nearby Concord. They were met on Lexington Common (Lexington Battle Green) by about 70 Minutemen, who had been alerted to the approach of the British by Paul Revere. When shooting broke out, eight Minutemen were killed, including their commander, Captain John Parker. However, the British were forced to retreat after confronting a larger force of Minutemen at the North Bridge in Concord.

Nine hundred acres, including segments of what came to be called Battle Road, are preserved at the Minute Man National Historic Site in nearby Concord.

Lexington, which was settled in about 1640, now has about 29,000 residents. It was named for Lexington, England. Visitors can see the battle site and the Revolutionary Monument, dedicated in 1799 and believed to be the first monument commemorating the Revolutionary War. The town includes many historic buildings, some dating from the 1690s. Buckman Tavern, headquarters of the Minutemen, was built in 1709 and has furnishings from the Revolutionary War period. The changing exhibits of the Museum of Our National Heritage depict American history and culture. Much of the route used by the eighteenth-century American and British forces is now covered by Hwy 2A. However, bikers, walkers, and in-line skaters can enjoy the popular 101⁄2-mile Minuteman Rail Trail (see entry on Cambridge, page 57).