The phrase is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, who used it in his 1837 Concord Hymn. Emerson wrote, "Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard round the world."
The phrase has become synonymous with the start of the American Revolution and is considered a turning point in world history. The battle was a defining moment for the American colonies, as it demonstrated their willingness to fight for their freedom from British rule. The shot heard around the world served as a rallying cry for the colonists and inspired them to continue the fight for independence.