On what date did the Revolutionary War officially begin?

The Revolutionary War officially began on April 19, 1775, marked by the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This date is widely recognized as the start of open hostilities between the thirteen American colonies and British forces. The events on that day involved armed conflict between colonial militia and British troops, signifying a decisive turn toward war rather than continued negotiations or attempts at peaceful resolution.

While other dates pertain to significant events within the timeline of the Revolutionary War, such as the establishment of the Continental Army or the signing of the Declaration of Independence, they do not represent the actual initiation of military conflict. This emphasis on the Battles of Lexington and Concord establishes the historical specificity of April 19, 1775, as the correct answer to when the Revolutionary War officially commenced.