CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47Introduced by Senator NielloMarch 25, 2025 Relative to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 47, as introduced, Niello. 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord.This measure would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and would urge citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, April 19, 1775, marks the date of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which began the American Revolutionary War and the struggle for independence; andWHEREAS, The events of that day are immortalized as the moment of the shot heard round the world, a defining symbol of liberty and self-determination; andWHEREAS, The Towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, played a pivotal role as the sites of the first armed resistance to British rule, embodying the courage and resolve of the American colonists; andWHEREAS, At dawn on April 19, some 700 British troops arrived in the Town of Lexington and came upon 77 militiamen gathered on the town green. A British major yelled, Throw down your arms! Ye villains, ye rebels.; andWHEREAS, The heavily outnumbered militiamen had just been ordered by their commander to disperse when a shot rang out. To this day, no one knows which side fired first. Several British volleys were subsequently unleashed before order could be restored. When the smoke cleared, eight militiamen lay dead and nine were wounded, while only one Redcoat was injured; andWHEREAS, By the time the British retreated from the Town of Concord, over 2,000 militiamen had arrived and were firing at the British as they retreated to the City of Boston; andWHEREAS, As many as 3,500 militiamen firing constantly for 18 miles killed or wounded roughly 250 Redcoats, compared to about 90 killed and wounded on their side; andWHEREAS, The militia and Minutemen who stood in defense of their rights and freedoms on April 19, 1775, represented the communities of New England, uniting in pursuit of shared ideals that laid the foundation for the United States of America; andWHEREAS, The 250th anniversary of these historic events presents an opportunity to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who fought for freedom and inspired movements for liberty around the globe; andWHEREAS, The actions on April 19 inspired the French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, Irish Rebellion, and so many more, that historians often refer to this time as the Age of Revolution; andWHEREAS, The anniversary also serves as an occasion to educate current and future generations about the significance of the American Revolution and the values of democracy, civic engagement, and collective action; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the State of California joins in preserving the memory of the American Revolution as a gesture of our shared commitment to remembering and honoring this seminal moment in our nations history, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, honors the memory of those who took part in these historic events, celebrates their contributions to the founding of our nation, and encourages citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice; and be it furtherResolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47Introduced by Senator NielloMarch 25, 2025 Relative to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 47, as introduced, Niello. 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord.This measure would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and would urge citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 47
Introduced by Senator NielloMarch 25, 2025
Introduced by Senator Niello
March 25, 2025
Relative to the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 47, as introduced, Niello. 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
This measure would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and would urge citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice.
This measure would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and would urge citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, April 19, 1775, marks the date of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which began the American Revolutionary War and the struggle for independence; and
WHEREAS, The events of that day are immortalized as the moment of the shot heard round the world, a defining symbol of liberty and self-determination; and
WHEREAS, The Towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, played a pivotal role as the sites of the first armed resistance to British rule, embodying the courage and resolve of the American colonists; and
WHEREAS, At dawn on April 19, some 700 British troops arrived in the Town of Lexington and came upon 77 militiamen gathered on the town green. A British major yelled, Throw down your arms! Ye villains, ye rebels.; and
WHEREAS, The heavily outnumbered militiamen had just been ordered by their commander to disperse when a shot rang out. To this day, no one knows which side fired first. Several British volleys were subsequently unleashed before order could be restored. When the smoke cleared, eight militiamen lay dead and nine were wounded, while only one Redcoat was injured; and
WHEREAS, By the time the British retreated from the Town of Concord, over 2,000 militiamen had arrived and were firing at the British as they retreated to the City of Boston; and
WHEREAS, As many as 3,500 militiamen firing constantly for 18 miles killed or wounded roughly 250 Redcoats, compared to about 90 killed and wounded on their side; and
WHEREAS, The militia and Minutemen who stood in defense of their rights and freedoms on April 19, 1775, represented the communities of New England, uniting in pursuit of shared ideals that laid the foundation for the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, The 250th anniversary of these historic events presents an opportunity to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who fought for freedom and inspired movements for liberty around the globe; and
WHEREAS, The actions on April 19 inspired the French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, Irish Rebellion, and so many more, that historians often refer to this time as the Age of Revolution; and
WHEREAS, The anniversary also serves as an occasion to educate current and future generations about the significance of the American Revolution and the values of democracy, civic engagement, and collective action; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the State of California joins in preserving the memory of the American Revolution as a gesture of our shared commitment to remembering and honoring this seminal moment in our nations history, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, honors the memory of those who took part in these historic events, celebrates their contributions to the founding of our nation, and encourages citizens across the country to participate in educational programs, reenactments, and commemorative events to reflect upon the enduring importance of liberty and justice; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.