The Shot Heard 'Round the World - April 19, 1775

 

The British are coming!

Today, April 19, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution on that same day in 1775. The picture above depicts the Americans getting the word about what is up. The picture below depicts a column of British soldiers on the march through the Massachusetts countryside.

British infantry on the march. Towards Lexington and Concord?

With the 250th Anniversary kicking off today, you can expect Fife and Drum Miniatures and this blog to be oriented towards the events and battles of the American Revolution (ok, American War of Independence, if you must, but please don't).

Fife and Drum Miniatures offers an extensive range of 1/56 scale figures (approximately 28mm in size) that covers the period of the war, albeit, we do not offer British figures wearing tricorn/cocked hats. Our British figures are kitted out in the campaign look of shorter tailed coats and brimmed hats, the latter of which were more practical on campaign. Have you ever worn a tricorn hat and tried to do the manual of arms without knocking off your chapeau? That's why the British (and we) present ourselves with the tricorn brim turned down. But I digress...

Patriot Day (month) sale is ongoing through April 30, 2025

This is just a reminder that Fife and Drum Miniatures (and Minden Miniatures) is offering a 22% discount on its products from April 12th through 30th of this month in 2025. To order, visit the Fife and Drum Miniatures web store (click on the link below) and enter the coupon code  Lexington2025  and your 22% discount will automatically be applied to your order when you check out.

Fife and Drum Miniatures

This is a really good way to kick off your start to building your American and British armies for your war games over the 250th Anniversary period 2025 through 2033, or if you already have armies and want to add to your existing forces.

The Spirit of '76 - Fife and Drum Miniatures

Men, if they aim to have a fight, then let it begin here!
(not quite Lexington Green, but you get the idea)
American militia form up to receive the British

I haven't been able to get around to creating a Lexington and Concord scenario for my game table and group of war game partners, because I've been engrossed in getting my Hannibal game set up and running for Little Wars 2025. LW starts next week on April 24-27 at the Sheridan Hotel in Lisle, Illinois. There will be a number of AWI games on the roster, and my HANNIBAL game. Stop on by and say hello.  I always enjoy talking with my blog readers.

Seven Years War Association Convention in 2026

It is not too late to start making plans to attend next year's Seven Years War Association convention on April 16-18 in South Bend, Indiana.

Here is the information that Ken Bunger sent to me about the 2026 show:

The 2026 Convention, closing in on 40 years of our convention, is confirmed for April 16-18, 2026.  The venue will remain the century center Convention facility in South Bend, IN  I'll send out more info as it becomes available.  NOTE: Easter is early next year (April 5) so the convention will be a little later than usual.  The date avoids direct conflict with other known conventions Weddings and football blacked out other spring or fall dates, so we are fortunate to have secured the April 16 date.

THE 250th ANNiVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. THerefore, we will attempt to invoke an American Revolution theme next year. and will seek out speakers and new vendors in that regard.  Please let me know if you have thoughts or suggestions that might assist in that effort.  This is an excellent opportunity to more widely advertise our convention and expand our merry band.  Jim McIntyre has developed a new brochure that advertises our convention.  I'll send it to everyone when we get it in final form.

I will be attending the convention and hosting several games. I might even load up the track and bring the Fife and Drum and Minden Miniatures inventory to the show as a vendor/dealer.