Bunker Hill facts for kids

Bunker Hill can mean a few different things! Most famously, it's a historic hill in Massachusetts. It's also the name of a very important battle fought there during the American Revolutionary War.

The Famous Bunker Hill in Massachusetts

The most well-known "Bunker Hill" is a small hill located in Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. This hill became famous because of a major battle that happened nearby.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the earliest and most important battles of the American Revolutionary War. It took place on June 17, 1775. Even though the battle is called "Bunker Hill," most of the fighting actually happened on a nearby hill called Breed's Hill.

• Who fought? It was fought between the American colonial forces and the British Army.
• What happened? The Americans built defenses on Breed's Hill overnight. The British attacked these defenses three times.
• Famous Quote: A famous order given to the American soldiers was "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" This meant they should wait until the British were very close to make every shot count.
• Who won? The British eventually captured the hills, but they suffered many more casualties (soldiers killed or wounded) than the Americans. This battle showed that the American colonists could stand up to the powerful British Army.

Ships Named After Bunker Hill

Two important ships in the United States Navy have been named after the Battle of Bunker Hill:

• USS Bunker Hill (CV-17): This was an Essex-class aircraft carrier. Aircraft carriers are huge ships that act like floating airfields, carrying many airplanes. This ship served during World War II.
• USS Bunker Hill (CG-52): This is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser. Cruisers are large, fast warships used for many different tasks. This ship is still part of the U.S. Navy today.

Bunker Hill Community College

There is also a college named after this historic area. Bunker Hill Community College is a large college located in Charlestown, Boston. It offers many different courses and programs for students.

Other Places Called Bunker Hill

Many other places across the United States are also named Bunker Hill. These places are often named after local hills or historical events in their own areas. Here are a few examples:

• Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, California: This is a district in downtown Los Angeles, known for its tall buildings and cultural spots.
• Bunker Hill, Illinois: A small city in Illinois.
• Bunker Hill, Indiana: A town in Miami County, Indiana. Near this town is the Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base, which was once known as Bunker Hill Air Force Base.
• Bunker Hill, Kansas: A small city in Kansas.
• Bunker Hill, West Virginia: A community in West Virginia.

Other Uses of Bunker Hill

The name "Bunker Hill" has also been used in other ways:

• Film: Bunker Hill is the name of a movie directed by Kevin Willmott.
• Music: There is a musician known as Bunker Hill (musician), who is an American R&B and gospel singer. Also, a song called Bunker Hill was released in 2003 by the popular band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Historic District: The Bunker Hill Historic District is an area recognized for its historical importance.

See Also

• Bunker Hill Covered Bridge: A special kind of bridge with a roof, found in North Carolina.
• Bunker Hill Monument: A tall monument in Charlestown, Boston, built to remember the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Bunker Hill School: The name of several schools.
• Bunker Hill House: A historic house listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio.