Two Centuries of Celebrations

Since 1825, Concordians have celebrated the anniversary of the Battle of Concord, or the “Concord Fight.” Fought on April 19, 1775, when the colonial Minutemen and British troops clashed at the North Bridge, the battle cemented Concord’s legacy as a significant location in the American Revolution. The third Monday in April was designated as Patriots’ Day in 1894, enshrining the anniversary as a statewide holiday.

As you move through this exhibition, explore how celebrations have combined public interest and current trends with historical commemoration, and how events have evolved over time. While traditions like parades, invited speakers, balls, and re-enactments have both prevailed and changed, new events have also been introduced, reflecting the diverse interests of the community. How do we choose to remember our history? What do these choices represent? How and why have they changed? How and why have they remained the same?