Bunker Hill Monument

The Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown remembers the Battle of Bunker Hill, a 1775 battle which ended in a pyrrhic British victory and significantly boosted colonial morale.  Curiously, the battle was actually fought on Breed’s Hill and not Bunker Hill, and as such the monument is located on the top of Breed’s Hill.  The battle began June 15, 1775, as British forces attempting to control Boston attacked the hastily constructed colonial defenses across the Charles River on Breed’s Hill.  The colonists, running low on ammunition, were ordered “Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” according to legend.  Over the course of three British waves of assault, the poorly trained and supplied colonists repelled the first two attacks by their stronger foes and inflicted about 1,000 casualties in a force of over 2,000 soldiers and artillery.  Thus, while the colonists were ultimately forced to retreat, the British victory was hard-won, and the Americans had proved they could stand up to the mother country.  The 221 foot tall granite obelisk at the site was dedicated in 1843, replacing an earlier wooden monument.

• Climb the 294 steps to the top and enjoy the birds-eye view
• Visit the exhibit lodge next to the monument to see a statue of Dr. Joseph Warren, and also a diorama of the battle