The 18th Century English Civil War Started On This Date In 1775

Captain Parker of the Minutemen who stood on Lexington Green against the Royal Army. The Battle of Lexington Green was the first engagement of the 18th Century English Civil War.

Of course, the history books call it the "American Revolution" -- but in my never humble opinion it was a civil war between English cousins who had major disagreements over the constitution in force at the time.

One of the great "What if" in history is "What if England and America had compromised on the basis of the 'Albany Plan' of 1754 that would have allowed the creation of an American Congress and a Governor General appointed by the King?"

Details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parker_(Captain)

He was in poor health from consumption (tuberculosis) on the morning of April 19. Tradition reports his order at Lexington Green to be

"Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

He witnessed his cousin Jonas Parker killed by a British bayonet. Later that day he rallied his men to attack the regulars returning to Boston in an ambush known as "Parker's Revenge."