Polk County Memorial Museum is participating in ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ to honor Paul Revere’s ride on April 18, 1775 by placing two lanterns in the door windows of the museum Friday evening. Additionally, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy has issued a proclamation supporting ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ and encouraging others to participate.
‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ is a nationwide initiative that kicks off the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and leads up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18-19, 1775. ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind each other that U.S. history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
At its heart, it is a call across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, for two lights to be displayed to remind everyone of the importance of coming together to form a more perfect union.
Everyone can participate. All you have to do is display two lights in your homes or businesses the week of April 13-19, 2025 to raise awareness and commemorate the beginning of the constant endeavor as a nation to work together for a better tomorrow.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, with impending hostile action from the British army in Boston, Paul Revere and William Dawes, along with other alarm riders undertook a perilous ride to alert everyone in the countryside of the coming danger. Preceding their departure from Boston, a prearranged signal was set in the Old North Church steeple to ensure that the message got out and did not solely rely on just one or two alarm riders.
The two lanterns that were the signal were immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” as “One if by land, and two if by sea” and have become an enduring symbol of American vigilance, perseverance and preparedness in the face of adversity.
