Battle of Bunker Hill

On June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston, British and colonial forces fought on the Charlestown Peninsula in one of the Revolution’s first major battles. Though named for Bunker Hill, most of the fighting centered on Breed’s Hill, where colonial troops under William Prescott built earthworks to threaten Boston. British troops under William Howe attacked after naval and artillery fire failed to break the position. The colonials repelled two assaults before running low on ammunition and retreating when a third attack captured the redoubt. Although the British took the ground, they suffered much heavier losses, and the battle strengthened American morale and proved militia could resist regular troops from strong defenses.

Cambridge, Massachusetts · United States