The historical event famously known as "the shot heard 'round the world" refers to the initial gunfire that ignited the American Revolutionary War at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. This phrase symbolizes the start of the conflict between the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain. The phrase captures the moment when armed resistance began and signified a major shift in the colonies' aspirations for independence. It galvanized support among the colonists, fostering a sense of unity and purpose in the fight against British oppression and ultimately leading to the quest for sovereign governance.