You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast.

Hello, and thanks for joining Revolution 250, where we look at events that took place 250 years ago this week.

This is from the American Revolution podcast, just a short bonus episode to remind you about important anniversaries from the Revolutionary War. This week,

we remember the first time the Patriots chase the British out of New York and Virginia.

From Fort Sumter to the Battle of Gettysburg. From the Emancipation Proclamation to Appomattox Courthouse. From the 13th, 14th, and 15th

amendments to the compromise of 1877. From Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant and William

to Comsa Sherman, to Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The Civil War and Reconstruction

was a pivotal era in American history. I'm Rich. And I'm Tracy. And we're the hosts of a podcast

that takes a deep dive into that era when a war was fought to save the union and to free the slaves.

And when the work to rebuild the nation after that war was over turned into a struggle

to guarantee liberty and justice for all Americans.

Look for the Civil War and Reconstruction, wherever you find your podcasts.

Following the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, patriots across the continent

were inspired to throw off their colonial oppressors. New York City became a hot spot of

resistance. One loyalist called New York at the time, quote, One contentious scene of riot, tumult, and confusion.

The Sons of Liberty had organized in New York years earlier.

They had fought the regulars at the Golden Hill Riot of 1770

and played a key role in keeping British tea out of New York in 1773.

On April 23, after word of Lexington and Concord arrived in New York,

a group of patriots raided the city's arsenal and confiscated the arms and ammunition. At the time,

the colonial governor, William Tryon, was back in London. Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Colden was

unwilling to put up much of a fight.

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