Which event is considered the starting point of the American Revolution?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord are widely regarded as the starting point of the American Revolution because they marked the first military engagements between the American colonies and British troops. On April 19, 1775, these battles signified the transition from political tensions to open armed conflict. Prior to this event, there had been significant unrest, protests, and legislative actions from the colonists against British policies, but these battles represented a decisive moment where colonists took up arms in defense of their rights.

By engaging in battle, the colonists demonstrated a readiness to fight for self-governance and resistance against British authority, effectively moving the revolutionary struggle into a new phase. This crucial point in history galvanized support for the revolutionary cause and is often cited as the moment when the colonies collectively decided to revolt, making it a foundational event in the American Revolution.

While other events listed, such as the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, contributed significantly to the revolutionary sentiment and the formal declaration of independence, the actual armed conflict at Lexington and Concord serves as the pivotal moment of military engagement that marked the formal commencement of the war for independence.