Bunker Hill was the war's first big battle. It was fought outside Boston on June 17, 1775.

The British held the city of Boston. Patriots thought they could break the hold by firing down from hills across the river. They dug trenches and built a fort atop Breed's Hill. Then they waited.

A British warship shelled the fort. The minutemen got nervous. Their leader, Israel Putnam, told them to stand firm. He said not to fire until they saw the whites of the enemies' eyes. The redcoats charged uphill. They wore heavy packs. It was a very hot day. The patriots waited and watched.

The redcoats were easy targets. The patriots fought bravely. They drove the redcoats back two times. Then the patriots ran out of bullets. They fought the redcoats hand to hand. But they had to retreat. The British won the battle.

The Americans had fought very hard. The British took the hill. But they lost nearly half of their attack force. The British realized the patriots were tough. The war would be long and hard.

The battle's name came down through history as Bunker Hill. It was really fought nearby on Breed's Hill.