Final answer:
The phrase 'The shot heard round the world' refers to the unknown shot fired at Lexington that started the American Revolution and inspired future democratic revolutions, like the French Revolution, signaling its global impact as described by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "The shot heard round the world" refers to an event that marks the beginning of the American Revolution. This event took place on the Lexington Green when American colonists, standing their ground against hundreds of British troops, were ordered to disperse by Major Pitcairn who called them ' rebels.' A chaotic situation ensued, and amidst the tension, an unknown individual fired a shot. The identity of the shooter and their exact location remain a mystery, but the significance of the shot is well-noted, as it is deemed as the catalyst for not only the American Revolution but also as an inspiration for the French Revolution that followed.
According to the literary words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, this shot was so impactful that it resonated globally, hence the expression "shot heard round the world." It marks a pivotal moment in world history where the quest for independence and democratic ideals began to spread beyond the immediate conflict in the American colonies, signifying the broader implications and global influence of the events that transpired that day.