By the rude bridge that arched the flood,Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,Here once the embattled farmers stood,And fired the shot heard round the world.

Summary

This quote, from Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "Concord Hymn," describes the famous Battle of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War. It refers to the small bridge over the Concord River, where defiant colonial farmers took a stand against British troops in April 1775. The "rude bridge" is a symbol of defiance and resistance, and the "shot heard round the world" is a testament to the significance of this battle, as it ignited a larger revolution for American independence that would have far-reaching impacts beyond its borders.