The phrase "The British are coming" is famously associated with Paul Revere's midnight ride on April 18, 1775. It refers to the alert given to colonial militias warning them that British Army troops were approaching prior to the battles of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolutionary War. However, Paul Revere himself did not shout this exact phrase; instead, he warned that "The Regulars are coming out," to maintain secrecy since the colonists were still largely British themselves. This ride was crucial for alerting the Patriots and preparing them for the British advance.
The historical context is that British troops were moving from Boston to arrest colonial leaders and seize military supplies, and the warning allowed colonial militias to muster and confront British forces, effectively marking the start of open armed conflict in the Revolution.
The phrase "The British are coming" has since become emblematic in American culture as a warning of impending British intervention during the Revolution, often cited or referenced in literature and historical accounts.
There is also a modern historical book titled "The British Are Coming" by Rick Atkinson, which covers the opening stages of the American Revolution, from Lexington to Princeton, detailing the early military conflict and the challenges both sides faced.
Would further detail on the historical ride, the exact phrase, or the book be helpful?
