Fall River Student Corrects Famous Paul Revere Myth

About a week ago, I had the chance to visit St. Michael School in Fall River for Career Day, talking to students about what we do at Fun 107 and how we stay connected to everything happening across the SouthCoast.

It was a great morning with lots of questions and lots of laughs, but one moment completely caught me off guard. A young student raised his hand and dropped a history fact on me that I had never heard before. He told me Paul Revere never actually shouted, “The British are coming.” He actually told the colonists, “The regulars are coming.”

I’ll be honest, I thought he was messing with me.

From Classroom Curveball to Real-Life Confirmation

Fast forward just a few days later to Saturday, April 18, when I was broadcasting live from the Fall River Carousel for “The Ride to Freedom,” celebrating Paul Revere's famous midnight ride and the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday,. Wouldn’t you know it, Paul Revere himself (in full character, and clearly knowing his stuff) was there.

So naturally, I had to ask, and Revere confirmed what the student had taught me. “The regulars are coming,” he said, referring to British regular army troops. My mind was blown.

Get our free mobile app

The Midnight Ride Wasn’t a Solo Mission

While we’re at it, I learned something else I definitely didn’t pick up in school. Paul Revere wasn’t riding alone. He was joined by William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, all working together to spread the warning across the countryside before Lexington and Concord.

READ MORE: 15 SouthCoast Landmarks That Will Make You Say ‘I’m Home’

However, thanks to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem, Revere ended up getting most of the spotlight.

A Historical Moment I Won’t Forget

It’s not every day you get fact-checked by a kid, and then have that fact confirmed by Paul Revere himself (sort of) just days later.

Moments like this are exactly why I love being out in the community. Whether it’s a classroom in Fall River or a live broadcast at the carousel, you never know what you’re going to learn or who’s going to take you to church.

I guess that kid at St. Michael School really knows his stuff. Kudos to him!