Which event is often credited with sparking the American Revolution?

The event often credited with sparking the American Revolution is the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These confrontations took place on April 19, 1775, and marked the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War. The significance of these battles lies in their role as a catalyst for the revolution, demonstrating the colonists' willingness to take up arms against British authority after years of mounting tensions regarding issues such as taxation without representation and British military presence in the colonies. The confrontations signified a shift from protest to open conflict, as colonial militias clashed with British troops, leading to a broader mobilization for independence.

While the Boston Tea Party was a pivotal act of defiance against British taxes and colonial governance, it was the battles themselves that ignited the armed conflict. The signing of the Declaration of Independence formally proclaimed the colonies' intention to break away from British rule, but it came after the armed conflict had already begun. The Constitutional Convention was significant in the creation of a new government structure post-war, but it occurred well after the Revolutionary War had started. Therefore, the Battles of Lexington and Concord represent the actual initiation of hostilities that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.