CRISPUS ATTUCKS: BLACK MAN FIRST TO DIE FOR AMERICAN FREEDOM

Recognizing the diverse contributors to American history is essential in understanding the full tapestry of the nation’s past. The narrative often begins at Lexington Green, where the British Army fired upon American citizens, igniting the Revolutionary War with the shot heard around the world. This moment symbolizes the struggle against tyranny, but it also marks the beginning of a complex story filled with many voices. Among those voices were the African Americans who fought side by side with their white counterparts. Their sacrifices and contributions were integral to the fight for freedom, and yet they have often been marginalized in mainstream accounts. Engaging with history critically means acknowledging these untold stories and understanding that the fight for independence was not solely a battle of colonists against British rule, but rather a multifaceted struggle that included various communities seeking equality and justice.