The Battle of Lexington and Concord is a comprehensive and interactive digital reference to the battle that began the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. It also covers the lead up to the battle, starting in January 1775, as well as the aftermath, until early June. It includes over 300 events, drawn from more than 60 primary and secondary sources. The app includes close to 200 individuals who were involved in the battle as well as the surrounding events, from George III and Paul Revere to Captain John Parker of the Lexington militia.

It is a visual database as well, showcasing dozens of images of the participants as well as current photos of the battlefield. Over 100 events of April 18 and 19 from Boston to Concord are geo-referenced. So you can use it as a guide as you trace the activities of “that famous day and year” – either in person, or as an armchair general at home. Backed by rigorous scholarship, each entry includes at least one, and sometimes as many three or four references.

Follow the midnight ride of Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. Read about the actions of Parliament and the British army that sparked a revolution. See where the embattled minutemen stood, when they fired the shot heard round the world, and follow them as they pursued the British back to Boston.

Data is displayed on saleable maps, which can be zoomed in or out with a simple pinch or swipe, and on easy to search tables. With a few taps one can search and restrict events to a range of dates, or a type of event (ranging from diary entries and troop movement, to engagements and official correspondence). The events are also grouped in 24 different actions, such as the Ride of Revere and Dawes and the Fight at Concord. So, you can easily focus on whatever aspect of the engagement that you want.

Despite the large volume of data contained in Lexington and Concord it is fast, easy to use and provides an enjoyable experience for the amateur historian, re-enactor, educator, researcher or tourist. You can even walk the battle road with a GPS enabled iPhone or iPad and watch your user position change as you intersect the location of important historical events.

If you are interested in the American Revolution and the events that led to the birth of a nation . . . you need the Battle of Lexington and Concord.