Wednesday Marks 240th Anniversary of Battle of Bunker Hill

Wednesday marks the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Revolutionary War clash was fought in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood on June 17, 1775.

The battle was a conflict between American colonists and British government during the Revolutionary War. The two sides fought after colonists learned of the British army’s plans to take control of Breed’s Hill in Charlestown and attack rebel posts.

1,000 Colonial men, commanded by General William Prescott, engaged multiple waves of British troops before they were forced to retreat.

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” Prescott famously ordered his men that day.

The British sustained heavy damage during the battle, but they did defeat the colonists. More than 100 American soldiers died in battle. More than 300 were injured.

Despite losing the battle, the day is still remembered by Americans. This past Sunday a parade was held in the streets of Charlestown to honor the battle’s anniversary.

According to the Boston Globe, on Wednesday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the Boston Housing Authority was asking for proposals to preserve and rebuild affordable housing at the Bunker Hill public housing development.