Lexington and Concord: Tales of valor, heroism

The legacy of Paul Revere, the American silversmith, industrialist and Founding Father, is forever exalted in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, where he, a member of the Sons of Liberty, courageously charged at midnight to alert the militia of approaching British forces.

His timely nightfall sprint was immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's opus Paul Revere's Ride, which led to the first gunfire at the Battles of Lexington and Concord that catalyzed the American Revolutionary War, the struggle that resulted in the country's liberation from Great Britain.

If you have ever encountered the phrase "Shot heard 'round the world," this is the legitimate origin. However today, it is more commonly associated with the assassination of Austria-Hungary presumptive heir to the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand, one of the roots of World War I.

From these two suburban towns some 10 to 20 kilometers away from downtown Boston, here are our top five spots not to be missed:

Pay Respects: Battle of Lexington Monument

This groundbreaking memorial was built by the inhabitants of the hamlet to commemorate the sacrifices of its citizens, who were the first victims of British tyranny and oppression. An etched excerpt reads: "They nobly dar'd to be free!! The contest was long, bloody and affecting. Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal; Victory crowned their arms; and The Peace, Liberty and Independence of the United States of America, was their glorious reward."

Instant Response: Minuteman Statue at Lexington Green

The park was the site of the first skirmishes that sparked a revolution. The statue's name originates from the militiamen, who with only a 60-secord warning, be armed for war. It is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark by America and is the rendezvous point for convening soldiers and other armed forces on duty, ready to serve and protect.

Uphold Honor: American Flagpole

This particular American Flagpole is a vital stopover for most visitors, for being one of the few standards which are allowed to fly for 24 hours a day, all year round. It is engraved with the words Birthplace of American Liberty, as a reminder of the vicinity's penultimate role in the United States' fight for freedom.

Strike Conversations: Costumed Soldiers

Volunteers attired in full British and American military regalia patrolled the area, all eager to have a chat with tourists on the town's history. They shared detailed information and reenacted vignettes from the past, which provided a more immersive experience.

Seek Inspiration: The Wayside

Concord eventually developed a budding literary community due to the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson of Nature and Self-Reliance essays fame. Thus, even the well-loved Little Women author Louisa May Alcott found home at The Wayside, which preserves her original family mementos. The widely-read The Scarlet Letter novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne and then Five Little Peppers wordsmith Margaret Sidney found solace at the same abode.

These are my five magical postcards. What's yours?