Bunker Hill Day
Bunker Hill Day is a day that commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. This battle, also known as the Battle of Breed’s Hill, was a tactical victory for the British, but it ended up being a Pyrrhic one. Even though the colonial forces were inexperienced, they were still able to inflict heavy casualties on the British, and this provided the colonial army with a significant confidence boost. This holiday falls on the 17th of June and is observed annually.
United States (State holiday)The Battle Of Bunker Hill
During the Siege of Boston on June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Although the battle was named after Bunker Hill, the majority of the fighting took place on Breed’s Hill, which was the adjacent hill.
During the course of the battle, the British suffered significantly higher losses than the Americans—although they were able to claim a tactical victory. The battle not only emboldened American forces in the future but also made the British more cautious in future engagements.
Some Interesting Facts About The Battle Of Bunker Hill
As we researched this day, we decided that we shouldn’t just list facts about Bunker Hill Day, but that we should also include some facts about the battle itself. Let’s take a look at some of the facts we’ve uncovered about this historic battle below.
U.S. President Franklin Pierce’s Father Fought At The Battle
Benjamin Pierce, the father of the 14th U.S. President Franklin Pierce, fought on the rebellion’s side at Bunker Hill. He would go on to become Governor of New Hampshire many years later.
150 African Americans Took Part In The Battle
It’s been estimated that approximately 150 African Americans took part in the battle. Some of them were freemen, and some of them were slaves. Some of the notable African American participants were Peter Salem and Salem Poor.
The Americans Had To Resort To Throwing Rocks
The British made two assaults on the hill, and each time they were driven back. Although this resulted in a lot of British casualties, it also depleted the Americans’ supply of ammunition. By the time the British made their third assault, some Americans were completely out of ammunition and had to hurl rocks at the British. As could be expected, this wasn’t effective, so the Americans had to retreat from the hill.
The British Suffered Heavy Losses
At the Battle of Bunker Hill, approximately 2,400 British troops fought against 1,200 American troops. The British lost about 1,200 men, and the Americans only lost 450. The British may have taken the position, but they also suffered the heaviest losses.
Observing Bunker Hill Day
On this day, a variety of events are usually planned, including reenactments, colonial crafts, and displays of Native American life. Museums also hold special events on this day to educate the public about this battle and the events surrounding it. People also use the hashtag #BunkerHillDay on their social media accounts.
United States (State holiday)
