Which battle is commonly considered the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War?

The Battle of Bunker Hill is commonly considered the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Fought on June 17, 1775, the battle took place during the Siege of Boston, less than two months after fighting began at Lexington and Concord. Colonial forces occupied the Charlestown Peninsula to prevent British troops from controlling the surrounding heights and Boston Harbor.

Although the battle is named for Bunker Hill, most of the fighting occurred on nearby Breed’s Hill, where colonial troops built a redoubt. British forces captured the position after several assaults, making it a British victory, but they suffered substantially heavier casualties than the colonists.

The battle demonstrated that inexperienced colonial forces could resist regular British troops. A common mix-up is the location: Bunker Hill supplied the battle’s name, while Breed’s Hill was the main battlefield. The engagement also helped persuade Britain that suppressing the rebellion would be difficult and costly.