"WORCESTER — It's ingrained in the nation's historical consciousness that the shots exchanged between British troops and New England partisans on the fields of Lexington and Concord in 1775 sparked the American Revolution.
But there are some lovers of history who believe that the fight for American independence from the English crown actually began eight months earlier on north Main Street in Worcester when 4,622 militiamen from 37 areas towns marched on the county courthouse.
The militiamen, in defiance of a British general, assembled themselves around the courthouse, refusing to give English authorities access to the building.
They then forced the British officials, hats in hand, to walk a gantlet down Main Street and recant their allegiance to the king.
For a time, some of the English officials were detained at a nearby tavern.
It was the first time ever, in the short history of the American colonies, that British authority was effectively overthrown.
And not a shot was fired.
The date was Sept. 6, 1774."
Yay Worcester!
http://www.telegram.com/article/20131205/NEWS/312059934/1246
