October 2013, when the National parks were closed down

There is, next to the bridge, a marker memorializing three British soldiers who died that day:

"They came three thousand miles, and died
to keep the past upon its throne
Unheard beyond the ocean's tide,
Their Mother England made her moan."

I have always been impressed by this marker, which, if I recall correctly has flowers and Union Jacks beside it and is well cared for. A memorial to the (likely) unwilling conscripts attempting to retain the colonial status quo.

I live only about 40 minutes away, but as usual when you live close to something, the only time we visit is when relatives or friends come. Except for the crowds, I don't notice any overwhelming changes.

We too had to do quite a bit of memory work on Emerson's poem, and "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and the Gettysburg Address. That was in Indiana schools, a looong time ago. I'll have to make sure my granddaughter has some memory work to do, too...if I live that long.

Somebody could screw with our heads by suggesting there's a squirrel in that foliage.

In response to you having to remember the Longfellow poem, we had the joy of remembering and then standing in front of the class to recite the Gettysburg Address in its entirety.

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 his poem "Concord Hymn"

This reminds me of the difficulty I had in eighth grade when our very strict and demanding teacher required us all to memorize Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" in its entirety. (To the youngsters among us, school was much more difficult in the olden days). It was probably the hardest assignment I ever had up to that time. I know this is the Old North Bridge and not the Old North Church, but it is reminiscent of that time in my memory bank. Seems rather quaint, charming and home-towney in this picture but as a kid the Revolutionary War details were drummed into our heads and we had to know it by heart. I suspect my old teacher may have been involved in it as she was a very old and proud Yankee.