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

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shot heard round the world

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 Poems Household Edition by Ralph Waldo Emerson