While the British got the upper hand in Lexington, the Colonists surprised British troops when they arrived in Concord shortly after to win the battle and force their retreat to Boston. The two battles took place in the neighboring towns of what is now Middlesex County, Mass.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord took place on April 19, 1775 and were the first engagements of the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War lasted until 1783, when the Americans formally won their independence. The war was the result of residents of the 13 American colonies trying to free themselves from Great Britain, which was trying to keep the American colonies in its empire.
