“Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, or you are all dead men.”  This is the story of the First Continental Congress and the build-up to the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  In the wake of the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies air their grievances against Parliament. It doesn't go well as His Majesty’s Government proclaims New England in a state of rebellion and Governor/General Thomas Gage moves to seize arms/munitions from town militias.  Paul Revere (and other messengers) ride out to warn Concord the army is coming for their militia's stores. Rather than making it to Concord, Paul gets to listen to soldiers threaten to “blow his brains out.” The next morning, shots are fired at Lexington. War is here. British America will never be the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices