Monday, April 17, 2017
Patriots Day
On April 18, 1775, two lanterns were hung from the steeple of the Old North Church, launching the American Revolutionary War. Governor Charlie Baker and I greeted Paul Revere; the Governor gave the keynote remarks at the Annual Lantern Ceremony event. The ceremony included a reading of Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride, representatives from local colonial militia, the USS Constitution Color Guard, and Honorary lantern carriers as the National Park Service Rangers celebrates their 100th birthday.
Every year since 1875, on the eve of Patriot’s Day, the Old North Church has commemorated the hanging of the lanterns.