Today Concord celebrates the 250th anniversary of the battle that launched the war for American independence. Describing that day, one of my students spoke of “the extraordinary accomplishments of ordinary people.”

We often hear historic battles characterized as the deeds of generals and presidents: Washington, Grant, Eisenhower. What makes the American victory on April 19, 1775 unique is that it was won by ordinary people–men and women, black and white. They didn’t wake up that morning and think, “Today I’m going to make history.” They simply did what was necessary to protect their right to choose their own leaders and make their own laws.

May their their quiet courage guide our lives.

Image: “Concord–The First Blow For Liberty” by Albert Bobbett (1877)