Lanterns atop the Old North Church

Front:
Vignettes of Americana issued for the new Postage Rates 1975 TWO IF BY SEA USA24c FBYLAND OSTON NOV 14 1975 FIRST DAY OF ISSUE 02109 fanterns atop the Old. North Church Warnedof the British Advance to Lexington,Concord.and Revolution 1775 ficial First Day Cover MA MIDN GHT RIDE ONE

Back:
Heetwood 24c OLD NORTH CHURCH Boston's oldest church, built as Christ Anglican Church River. Noted patriot and post rider Paul Revere (1735- in 1723, stands atop Copp's Hill. For years beacons in its 1818) was one of those designated to ride toward Concord steeple signaled to ships entering the city's harbor. In the to rouse the sleeping countryside once the British route spring of 1775 storm clouds of revolution were appearing became known. Friends rowed Revere across the moonlit on the horizon. Colonial spies learned of General Thomas Charles, past British warships laying at anchor. There he Gage's plans to send his British troops out from Boston to awaited the receipt of the prearranged signal: “One if by Concord to search out and to destroy caches of arms land; two if by sea.” Robert Newman, sexton of what is known to be hidden there. Late in the evening of April 17, known today as Old North Church, displayed two 1775, all that remained to be learned of the imminent raid lanterns from the steeple. With warning of the British was whether the British would depart Boston by land plan, Revere galloped off through the night to spread the down Boston Neck or by water across the Charles alarm of the British advance.