On April 19th, 1775, colonial militias in Lexington and Concord confronted British troops. James Barrett, a colonel in the militia described the fighting:

“I ordered said militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the king’s troops unless they were first fired upon. We advanced near said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our militia and killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord. My detachment then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several of the king’s troops.”

Based on the quote, what was MOST significant about the fighting at Concord and Lexington?

Select one:

a.
It was the first time that American colonists had killed British troops.

b.
It was the first time that British troops had fired on American colonists.

c.
It was the first time that American colonists had defied British authority.

d.
It was the first time that American colonists had organized themselves into a militia.