Sketches in History | A Midnight Ride

As promised, the 15-Minute History Podcast team is bringing you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure.

Be sure to look for the discussion questions at the end of this post.

Hello, and welcome back to Sketches in History! I’m Lottie Archer, your guide. Every week, we sit in my grandfather’s study and open my extraordinary notebook to a page that shows a sketch from history. The notebook teaches us what’s happening in that sketch by magically pulling us into that moment to experience it first-hand.  The last time we were together, we visited the ancient Roman city of Pompeii during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It was intense and taught us so much about preservation. I can't wait to see where our magical notebook takes us today!

But first, let's learn our word of the day: agency.

Have you ever decided to do something on your own, to the benefit of those around you? If you have, then that means you were practicing agency. Agency is a person’s ability to act on their own, make their own choices, and influence their surroundings or course of events. If you or your parents have ever forgotten to do something and you, acting on your own, remind yourself or those around you about it, that’s an example of practicing agency. I wonder if we can find someone using agency during our adventure today.   

Let’s open our notebook and see where we’re going for our next adventure.

We’ve landed on a sketch of a quiet town at night, lit only by moonlight and the faint glow of lanterns. I can see trees in the background starting to move against a breeze and people in long cloaks walking slowly through dark streets. In the distance, I can see a figure on horseback, riding quickly towards the town.

Are you ready? Close your eyes, hold on tight, and let’s go!

We made it! We're standing on a narrow dirt road in a small town. The air is cool, the night sky is filled with stars, and a soft breeze carries the scent of blooming lilacs. The streets are quiet, most people are asleep. Down the road, I can see a tavern that’s still open and many people talking and laughing inside. Next to some of the main buildings, there’s a sign that reads, Lexington, Massachusetts.

Judging by our location, the architecture, and the clothing people are wearing, we must be in colonial America. Do you know when colonial America was? It was the period when America was made up of colonies, under British control, before the United States was formed. It started in 1607 with a single settlement in Jamestown and over the next 169 years, expanded to include 13 colonies that included Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York.

Wait! Do you hear that? It's the sound of hoofbeats getting closer!

Look! A man is riding down the road on a fast horse. He's wearing a tricorn hat and a cloak that flaps in the wind. He looks determined and urgent. Let’s find a place to hide and take a closer look.

Wait…that's Paul Revere! That means we're in Massachusetts on the night of April 18, 1775. Paul Revere is on his famous "Midnight Ride," spreading an important message to the American colonists.

Paul has gotten off his horse and is walking past us. Let’s be sure to stay out of sight as we watch history happen.

It looks like he’s stopped in front of a house, knocking loudly on the door. A man answers, and Paul is saying something in a hushed but urgent voice. The man turns and yells something into his home. If Paul is speaking with him tonight, that probably means the man is Reverend Jonas Clarke. He's yelling into the home to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British soldiers are on their way to arrest the men and seize weapons stored by American patriots. After a few more words, Paul and the man shake hands, and he runs past us to mount his horse again, rounds the animal to face the open street and dark horizon ahead, and yells, “The British are coming”.

He rides swiftly through the village, slowing at militia member’s houses along the way, spreading the alarm. He's showing incredible courage and agency. If caught by British soldiers, he could face serious punishment, but he's determined to warn his fellow colonists and do his part to ensure they are ready for the oncoming British soldiers.

We can also hear more hoofbeats behind us. It’s another rider named William Dawes, who's also spreading the alarm. It looks like Paul Revere wasn't alone. Many brave riders are working together tonight, ensuring the message reaches as many people as possible.

Far in the distance, I can hear faint sounds of drumbeats. I can see bright red columns of soldiers marching toward us. The people in the town are waking up. Men are running from house to house getting every available man to get ready to fight. Militia men with rifles are grouping together in the street, getting ready for the battle that will take place in the next few hours.

It’s time to open the notebook and return to our study before things get too dangerous.

Phew! We’re back in the study, safe and sound. What an adventure! Let’s see what the notebook says about today’s scene.

We just experienced Paul Revere's famous "Midnight Ride." On the night of April 18, 1775, Revere and other riders like William Dawes and Samuel Prescott courageously rode through Massachusetts, warning American patriots about the approaching British soldiers. After getting word from Dr. Joseph Warren that the British were crossing the Charles River by boat—signaled by two lanterns in the Old North Church ("two if by sea")—Revere sneaked across the river, dodging British troops, and grabbed a horse in Charlestown.

He galloped to towns like Medford and Lexington, warning minutemen and letting leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock know that "the British regulars are coming out," helping them escape and giving time for others to get ready for the battle.

His ride—backed by others like William Dawes and Samuel Prescott—rallied the militia just in time, kicking off the Revolutionary War. This allowed the minutemen to prepare, leading to the Battles of Lexington and Concord—the first battles of the American Revolution.

Remember our word of the day? That's right, agency. Paul Revere showed incredible agency that night because he decided on his own, to warn the colonialists and members of the militia. He didn’t wait for orders. He acted. After learning that the British were crossing a river to march on Lexington, he rode on with other men to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and other leaders about the imminent attack. If British had known what he was doing, it’s likely that he would have been put to death. But this didn’t matter to Paul Revere. He had a job to do, and decided on his own to do it, risking his safety for the cause of freedom. His practicing agency and bravery helped shape American history, inspiring others to fight for independence.

What an exciting night! We experienced an important moment that changed the course of history. We saw bravery, agency, and witnessed the beginning of the Revolutionary War. I can't wait to see where our magical notebook takes us next time.

Thank you for joining me in Sketches in History. Don’t forget to subscribe to the 15-Minute History Podcast so you’ll never miss the next adventure. If you have a favorite moment in history you'd like to see in the notebook, send me your ideas at 15minutehistory@gmail.com.

Until next time, keep wondering, keep imagining, and remember—the past is just a page away.

Discussion Questions

·         Why do you think Paul Revere's ride is considered so important in American history?

·         What risks did Paul Revere and the other riders face that night?

·         If you were in Paul Revere's position, what might you have felt as you rode through the night?

·         How does showing courage, like Paul Revere did, help change history?

This episode was inspired by Grant.

Paul Revere's Ride, by N.C. Wyeth.