President Donald Trump has marked April 19 as a day of commemoration for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the beginnings of the American Revolution.
“Two and a half centuries ago, a small band of minutemen answered the call of freedom in the legendary Battles of Lexington and Concord, an epic tale of American strength and the first major armed conflict of the Revolutionary War,” Trump’s proclamation reads. “We honor the memories, remember the sacrifices, and summon the courage of every hero of liberty who gallantly shed his blood for the cause of independence on April 19, 1775.”
“The British ambush at Lexington became known as the ‘shot heard ’round the world,’ prompting thousands of brave young men to leave behind their homes and livelihoods to fight for our freedom on the frontlines of the American Revolution — commencing the greatest fight for liberty in the history of the world,” the proclamation adds.
Trump’s proclamation notes that “April 19, 1775, stands to this day as a seminal milestone in our Nation’s righteous crusade for liberty and independence,” stating that an “extraordinary army of American minutemen defeated one of the mightiest armies on the face of the earth and laid the foundation for America’s ultimate triumph over tyranny.”
“Two and a half centuries later, their fortitude remains our inheritance, their resolve remains our birthright, and their unwavering loyalty to God and country remains the duty of every American patriot,” the proclamation continues. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s independence next year, we honor the valiant men who fought in defense of their sacred right to self-government, we renew our pledge to restore our republic to all of its greatness and glory, and we commit to rebuilding a country and a culture that inspires pride in our past and faith in our future.”
Trump similarly commented on the United States’ dependence on God in a speech during an Easter prayer dinner. He stated, “And as we gather with family and friends, we’ll not forget the true source of our joy and our strength: America has put our trust in God,” Trump added. “It will always be ‘In God We Trust.’ We will never change that.”
