shot heard round the world

Cultural  

1. A phrase from a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson about the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Emerson's words read, “Here once the embattled farmers stood / And fired the shot heard round the world.” In other words, the determination of the colonists at Concord led to the establishment of a new nation on Earth and encouraged worldwide movements toward democracy.

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Example Sentences

Though the king did not personally trigger the shot heard round the world, he nonetheless helped pave the path toward war.

From National Geographic • Jul. 3, 2023

There was fake punt / broken nose, an insane one-handed catch, a miracle comeback highlighted by a miracle play and then, of course, the missed chip shot heard round the world.

From Golf Digest • Jan. 5, 2018

In fact, you could call it the high-tech shot heard round the world.

From US News • Jun. 27, 2016

To fire a shot heard round the world like at Lexington and Concord, and then they do it at this same place on the same day!” he said.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2013

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,       Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,     Here once the embattled farmers stood,       And fired the shot heard round the world.

From A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Thoreau, Henry David