The British are NOT Coming!

Visiting Boston last week, we went to the Granary Cemetery where we had our picture taken in front of Paul Revere's grave (Mary, mom and Elizabeth). The booklet I'm holding in my hand was handed to me at the entrance to the ancient burial ground. It had interesting tidbits and facts, maps, and trivia about the graveyard. Included in the trivia under the Paul Revere page were inaccuracies in Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." Among the inaccuracies were:

*Paul Revere would never had said, "The British are coming!" because the colonists all considered themselves British citizens.

*Paul Revere didn't receive the signal in the Old North Church, but gave it.

*Paul Revere didn't finish his ride because he was taken prisoner before he reached Cambridge.

There were many more on this list that I don't recall, but after reading it to my girls, they said, "Mom, that sounds like something you would write!" I love watching a so-called "historical" movies and finding inaccuracies in the timeline or facts. (One of my favorites is in "Braveheart" where it is implied that William Wallace fathered the heir to the British throne that was born about 7 years after his death. I have long gestations, but that's ridiculous!)

Last year, I had John (then age 12) memorize the first four stanzas of "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." The whole thing was much more lengthy than just four stanzas (Longfellow was long-winded), but it gave hime a good feel for the material. Next one who memorizes the poem will also have to find the inaccuracies! God bless!