the shot heard 'round the world

"The shot heard 'round the world" is a phrase commonly used to refer to a significant event or action that has far-reaching and profound consequences. It originates from the poem "Concord Hymn" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, which commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. The phrase specifically describes the first shot fired by colonial militiamen against British troops, signaling the beginning of the war and the quest for American independence. Over time, "the shot heard 'round the world" has come to symbolize any pivotal moment or event that sparks major changes or revolutions, impacting not only the immediate surroundings but also global history.