How 8 farmers started America — Lexington, April 19, 1775 | AMERICA AT 250 Part 1 of 8

History Onion · 2:58

Dawn, April 19, 1775. Seventy Massachusetts farmers stand on Lexington Green facing seven hundred British soldiers. Captain John Parker is dying of tuberculosis. Someone fires — to this day, nobody knows who. Eight Americans dead in two minutes. Within fifteen months, a Declaration. Within six years, victory. Within twelve, a Constitution. None of it had to happen. Part 1 of 8 in AMERICA AT 250 — a series counting down to the 250th anniversary of American independence. Follow for the Next Part: THE PURCHASE — Thomas Jefferson doubles the country with a check.