Midnight Ride of Paul Revere Fact vs. Fiction

Who Was Paul Revere? B. January 1, 1735 D. May 10, 1818 Silversmith from Boston--a very good one Drew Political Cartoons –What is a political cartoon?? Member of the Sons of Liberty –Took part in the Boston Tea Party Courier for the Committee’s of Correspondence and Safety –Basically a messenger Became suspicious of the British in Mass.

Paul Revere cont… Went to Concord to tell the people about the British –Concord held the militia’s guns, powder, and muskets –Colonists began hiding all the military supplies Formulated a plan to warn Concord if the British were coming

The Plan The idea was to use the Old North Church’s lanterns as signals –If the British were to arrive by land--1 lantern lit –If the British were to arrive by sea-- 2 lanterns lit “One if by land, two if by sea…” Revere did not need to see the signals: he already knew the British would arrive by water –It was the only way The signals were for other people The lanterns were not to be hung, just shown

The Midnight Ride April 18, 1775 Revere rode to Lexington to warn the British were coming –His signals were seen: 2 lamps were lit Arrived around midnight, and warned the people about the British Two other riders joined him –William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott On their way to Concord, all three were arrested by British on patrol Prescott and Dawes escaped, Revere did not Interrogated for hours, and eventually let go –The British took his horse Prescott and Dawes warned Concord: more importantly John Hancock and Samuel Adams –The king put a price on their heads!!!

Map of the Ride

Paul Revere

Statue of Paul Revere

The Midnight Ride What you just learned were the FACTS of the ride. How many of you have heard about this ride before today? What were you told? Let us look at the reason why Paul Revere became immortal in American History The Midnight Ride –By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Questions Why is this ride so well-known? Explain the reasons why they chose more than one rider. Were different routes necessary What was Longfellow’s reasons for making Revere the focus of his poem? Do you feel he lied, or exaggerated to make his poem better?

Assignment Create your own poem about the midnight ride You must use the real facts that you have learned. Your poem must be at least 10 stanzas (4 lines each) long. Your poem must tell the REAL story of Paul Revere. This is a narrative poem You will work in groups for this assignment You do not have to type it, but you may. Your finished poem must be neat, and include some artwork