Read the poem, "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You can find it in most anthologies of American poetry. Compare the events in the poem with what actually happened the night of April 18, 1775. Point out where the events in the poem follow the Facts and where they differ.

Answer 1

"Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a poem that romanticizes and exaggerates the events of April 18, 1775, when Paul Revere rode to warn the American colonists of the approaching British soldiers. While the poem captures the sense of urgency and danger of the situation, it is not entirely historically accurate.

In the poem, Paul Revere is portrayed as the sole rider who rode through the countryside shouting warnings to the colonists. In reality, Revere was not alone, there were other riders such as William Dawes and Samuel Prescott who also spread the alarm. Additionally, Revere did not actually yell "The British are coming! The British are coming!" as depicted in the poem because at that time, the colonists still considered themselves British.

Furthermore, Longfellow emphasizes the stealth and speed of Revere's ride, suggesting that he evaded capture by the British soldiers. In truth, Revere was actually captured by the British before he could reach Concord, but he was released shortly after.

Despite these inaccuracies, "Paul Revere's Ride" remains a powerful and iconic poem that captures the spirit of the American Revolution. It serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for independence and the importance of remembering the events that shaped our nation.