Which battle, fought on June 17, 1775, was a major early clash in the American Revolutionary War?

The Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on June 17, 1775, was a major early clash in the American Revolutionary War.

The battle took place during the Siege of Boston, shortly after fighting began at Lexington and Concord. Colonial forces fortified Breed’s Hill on the Charlestown Peninsula, intending to threaten British positions in Boston and control access to the harbor. British troops attacked in repeated assaults and eventually captured the colonial fortifications.

Although the British won the field, they suffered far heavier casualties than the colonial forces. The battle therefore became an important demonstration that American militia could stand against experienced British regulars. General Joseph Warren, a prominent Patriot leader, was among those killed.

A common mix-up concerns the name: most of the fighting occurred on Breed’s Hill, but the engagement became known as the Battle of Bunker Hill because Bunker Hill was the original objective and the larger geographic landmark. The battle also helped persuade Britain that defeating the rebellion would require a major military effort.