Lexington, Massachusetts is steeped in history, famous as the birthplace of American liberty. On April 19, 1775, it was at Lexington Battle Green—also called Battle Common—where the first shots of the American Revolution rang out. Landmarks like Buckman Tavern (built about 1709), where colonial militia gathered that morning, and the Hancock-Clarke House, where Samuel Adams and John Hancock spent the night before their escape, are preserved as museums. Another notable site is the Old Belfry, which called townspeople to rise in alarm. Visitors also enjoy Munroe Tavern, once commandeered by British troops, and the Jacob Whittemore House along Battle Road, one of the “witness houses” to those historic events. Today Lexington blends colonial architecture, commemorative monuments, and preserved natural trails, drawing residents and tourists alike.