By the rude bridge that arched the flood
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard ‘round the world.
This is the first stanza of the Concord Hymn written by Ralph Waldo Emerson for the 1837 dedication of the Obelisk, a monument in Concord, Mass. commemorating the Battle of Concord, the second in a series of battles and skirmishes on April 19, 1775, at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Historically, no single shot can be definitely cited as the first shot of the battle or the war. Shots were fired earlier at Lexington, where eight Americans were killed and a British soldier was slightly wounded, but accounts of that event are confused and contradictory. The North Bridge skirmish did see the first shots by Americans acting under orders, the first organized volley by Americans, the first British fatalities and the first British retreat.
A few years ago we took a trip to the remarkable City of Boston. If you’re into early American history and the birth of our country, Boston is a must visit city. After doing some research we decided to spend one night in Concord, not too far from Boston. I was intrigued after reading about the battles of Lexington and Concord and wanted to visit both. We stayed at a B & B just one mile from the notable North Bridge. Arriving late we planned to visit the bridge the next day. I awoke just before dawn and decided to take my morning run to the North Bridge. As I stood silently alone at this historic site, I envisioned what those frightened farmers were seeing and thinking as they aimed their rifles toward the sharply dressed Red Coats approaching their position. It was the birth of America!
For me American history is fascinating–a direct result of my conscientious parents and a handful of extraordinary teachers throughout my lifetime. I understand people travel different paths in their intellectual pursuits. There was a time I believed our educational system produced high school and college grads armed with a basic understanding in most subjects and specialized skills in their field of expertise. I don’t expect that a majority of the educated masses would be familiar with “the shot heard ’round the world” and its origin. However, I do believe most “educated” young people should possess a fundamental understanding of American history and a slight interest in how we got to where we are as a country today. Unfortunately my optimism is rapidly evaporating!
A few weeks back I sat watching some mindless program where the goofy host was asking college kids on spring break in Florida basic history questions. Between shots on their beer-bongs the partiers attempted to answer what I considered ridiculously simple questions. I realize they often cherry-pick the interviews to put on air. However, these young men and women supposedly attended expensive prestigious institutions of higher learning. One of the questions posed–“who was President of the U.S. during World War II?” Among the mind-numbing answers were, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Bill Clinton, John Kennedy, and my personal favorite, Abraham Washington! Apparently these morons graduated from high school and qualified for college with high SAT scores. I’m not suggesting that everyone should know the answer is Franklin D. Roosevelt, but come on, Bill Clinton! Of course most just laughed at their own ignorance, wearing it as a badge of honor. Ignorance is nothing to be proud of, dudes and dudetts! It struck me as funny and sad at the same time. Upon further reflection I asked myself a question: Whose fault is this appalling lack of basic history, the kids, their parents or the institutions (teachers)? Of course the answer is all three. I understand there have always been those who are uneducated and have no interest in gaining knowledge; however, in my day we didn’t celebrate it. I’m willing to bet that most of the reality superstars on television today couldn’t pass a 4th grade history exam. I’m afraid today’s “shot heard ’round the world” that will effect us many years down the road might just be our collective lack of intellectual curiosity!
