The term "the shot heard 'round the world" refers to the first gunfire which sparked the American Revolutionary War. This event occurred on April 19, 1775, during the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. It symbolizes the colonists' resistance against British rule and the struggle for independence. The precise identity of the shooter remains unknown, but this moment marked the beginning of open conflict between the Thirteen Colonies and Britain. The phrase captures the spirit of revolution, conveying that this initial act of defiance resonated beyond the battlefield, inspiring movements for freedom and self-determination worldwide.