Montanans encouraged to light two lights for Paul Revere’s Ride
The Montana 250th Commission invites Montanans to celebrate the anniversaries to two seminal events in American history on April 18-19: Paul Revere’s Ride and the spark of the American Revolution.
The commission was established by the Montana Legislature in 2023 and is charged with fostering civic engagement and raising awareness of both United States and Montana history, including the stories of Tribal nations, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
On Friday, April 18, Montanans will gather at the State Capitol in Helena to remember the famous “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” which warned colonists of the impending march of Redcoat troops from Boston to the communities of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The event, called “Two Lights for Tomorrow,” will celebrate the role that Revere and other oft-forgotten colonists, like riders William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, played in sounding the alarm of the advancing “Regulars” toward munition stores.
Members of the Montana 250th Commission, elected officials, and special guests will celebrate the anniversary with song and story, and light two lanterns that will remain illuminated overnight to recall the famed lanterns hung in Boston’s North Church steeple in 1775 (“One if by land, and two if by sea”). The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, and all are welcome to attend.
Communities, businesses, and individuals across Montana are encouraged to participate with their own “two lights” in their own buildings’ and homes’ windows, as well as to organize similar events at the local level. Resources and guidance can be provided to local governments and organizations by reaching out to mt250@mt.gov.
“The heroic actions of Paul Revere and many other brave patriots that fateful April 1775 evening stand as a testament to our shared duty as citizens to protect and defend the constitutional republic they helped create,” said Chris Averill, chair of the Montana 250th Commission.
He noted that both events “afford Montanans the ability to reflect on the ideals of our founders, and how we can all participate in the ongoing work of establishing a more perfect union.” Montanans are encouraged to join in the celebration by placing two candles or lanterns in their business and home windows on Friday, April 18.
Saturday, April 19, marks the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, where the “shot heard ‘round the world” sparked what would become the American Revolution. Montanans are urged to participate in a “Day of Service” by joining local organizations in their communities for volunteer work.
While no concerted statewide initiatives are being organized, the goal is to increase the number of individuals assisting local organizations in need of volunteers for their ordinary projects and activities. This could include a park cleanup, volunteering at a food bank, or writing letters to the homebound.
“The beauty of service is anyone can participate, no matter where they are,” Averill said. And there is no more fitting way to spend the 250th anniversary of the inception of the American Revolution than working to make our communities better places. We hope all Montanans will participate in some way by reaching out to local organizations who are always in need of new volunteers.”