History of North America

Why were certain soldiers in the Continental Army called minutemen?

Minutemen were called such because they were expected to be ready for battle "at a minute's notice." They formed the first line of defense against British troops during the American Revolutionary War, and were known for their quick response times and ability to mobilize quickly. The term "minuteman" was initially used to describe members of the Massachusetts militia who agreed to be ready for battle at any moment, but the term eventually came to be used to refer to similar units throughout the colonies.