April 19, 1775 is the day the American War of Independence began. The first blood was shed on Lexington Green in Massachusetts on that day. It was American blood. A few hours later, at Concord Bridge, more Americans and the first British casualties were taken.

Lexington Green has a nice relatively understated monument surrounded by an overbuilt town centre. Concord Bridge has a real (rebuilt) wooden bridge, the Minuteman Statue and real British graves. A small attractive National Park usually with people furnished dressed in uniforms of the times. Beautiful setting, particularly at this time of year. Lovely place to visit. Small museum, nice flower beds.

There is an actual 'battle road' which follows the route taken by the British soldiers as they marched back to Boston taking more and more wounded as the alarmed Americans shot at them from the flanks. The British had 'flankers' taking casualties from the Americans in turn. Sections of the original road could still be walked when I inhabited the Boston area. I don't know what the situation is now.

But by the end of that lovely Spring day, The War of Independence was on for the next eight years. The likelihood that America could make for itself a viable nation was not a sure thing (I guess it still isn't!) An interesting book I read a few years ago was "The Perils of Peace" by Thomas Fleming going into the various forces gathered at and behind the peace process culminating in 1783. Without a good deal, the young United States could have perished due to internecine fighting, bad economics, or renewed fighting. All of these to an extent did happen. But, the United States did in fact get a good deal at the peace table.

The reason I held off calling it the American Revolution is that I think the real revolution occurred with the adoption of the written American Constitution of 1789. That this happened and has been adhered to is a modern miracle.

Another important reason for us to commemorate the 19th of April is that some rather nasty pieces of work have taken to commemorating it for nasty reasons. I won't let this date get away from me. It is a holiday in Massachusetts (Patriot's Day). And I do not mean to make this an 'in your face' moment to our former Colonial Masters. Far from it. Great Britain will always be our Mother.