The first major battle of the American Revolutionary War was the Battle of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775. This conflict marked the beginning of armed hostilities between the American colonists and British troops. The confrontation resulted from colonial resistance to British authority, particularly over issues like taxation without representation. Although the battles themselves were relatively small in scale, they symbolized the determination of the colonies to defend their rights and liberties. These events galvanized support for the independence movement and ultimately led to the formation of the Continental Army.