Bunker Hill Day: Massachusetts
Celebrating the Battle of Bunker Hill
by Liz Olson
Bunker Hill Day, a holiday observed annually on June 17 in Massachusetts, celebrates the Battle of Bunker Hill. Although named for Bunker Hill, the actual fighting took place on the next hill over called Breed’s Hill in Charlestown, Mass., on June 17, 1775.
One of the earliest major battles of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Bunker Hill was an important event in the quest for American independence. Even though the British defeated colonial troops, the gallant American defense heightened colonial morale and resistance.
The Bunker Hill Monument was built to commemorate the heroic battle. Construction of the 221-foot granite obelisk took place between 1827 and 1843. The Bunker Hill Monument stands at the top of Breed’s Hill in Charlestown, Mass., and is one of the most visible landmarks in Boston.
Schools, libraries, and government offices in Suffolk County are closed to honor the event. Celebrations include a parade and battle reenactment in Charlestown every third weekend in June.
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