The event in history often referred to as the "shot heard 'round the world" occurred at the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. This phrase symbolizes the start of the American Revolutionary War between the thirteen American colonies and British forces. The exact identity of the shooter remains unclear, but the confrontation signified a turning point in colonial resistance against British rule. As tensions escalated, it galvanized momentum for independence, inspiring revolutionary sentiments throughout the colonies. This moment marked the beginning of armed conflict, leading ultimately to the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.