Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride – in which he alerted American Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord – took place on this date in 1775. The midnight ride of Paul Revere was dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride” (1861). Longfellow’s poem is not historically accurate, but his “mistakes” were deliberate. He researched the historical event and then manipulated the facts for poetic effect. He was purposely trying to create an American legend as he did with “The Song of Hiawatha” (1855) and “The Courtship of Miles Standish” (1858). Paul Revere’s Ride can be seen in Episode 5 of Liberty’s Kids
The Midnight Rider Virtual Museum – This online educational resource is designed to help you acquaint your students with Paul Revere… both the heroic literary figure in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, and the historical Paul Revere. Students will begin with a reading of Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride.” They will then then delve into historical accounts of the real man and his famous ride. As they move through the Exhibit Halls and use interactive maps, students will explore Colonial Boston and take a Virtual Midnight Ride, following Revere’s route from Boston to Concord. In each Exhibit Hall they will explore a variety of images that will strengthen their background knowledge of Revere and the events leading to the Revolutionary War. Meets content standards for Grade 5.
Did You Know…? Sybil Ludington was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War who performed a similar ride in New York on April 26, 1777 to alert Colonial forces to the approach of enemy troops. She rode more than twice the distance of Paul Revere and was only 16 years old at the time! Sybil Ludington can be seen in Episode 21 of Liberty’s Kids
Liberty’s Kids – In this animated series, the young central characters – Sarah, James, and Henri – and their friend, Moses, find themselves in the middle of key events leading up to the American Revolution and through the Revolutionary War itself. (Paul Revere and Sybil Ludington are both included.) Historically accurate, respectful of our Founding Fathers, and fun to watch, this 6-DVD set is a great introduction to American History!
