NEW YORK (AP) – As the U.S. commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, it’s important to reflect on its significance. The name itself holds a certain resonance, described by historian Nathaniel Philbrick as “percussive,” highlighting its place in American history and collective memory, even if the details may fade for those outside the Boston area.

Historians like Paul Lockhart emphasize that while many Americans might struggle to name other significant Revolutionary War battles such as Freeman’s Farm or Germantown, they readily recognize iconic battles like Gettysburg, D-Day, and Bunker Hill. Lockhart asserts that Bunker Hill stands as a quintessential American battle due to its historical resonance.

The historical narrative often begins with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, marking the initial clash in the American Revolution. However, Philbrick, Lockhart, and other historians assert that the true turning point was the Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on June 17, 1775. This was the first sustained confrontation between British and rebel forces over a distinct piece of territory, defining the nature of the conflict.

Bunker Hill exemplified two recurring themes in American history: the power of improvisation and the ability of ragtag militias to stand against a professional army. Historian Rick Atkinson notes that the battle was overwhelmingly bloody, underscoring to British commanders that subduing American forces would be more formidable than anticipated.

The battle arose, in part, from miscalculations; rebels initially aimed to fortify Bunker Hill to prevent a British attack but ended up fortifying Breed’s Hill instead. This error led the British to feel compelled to attack in order to seize control of the American fort. As Philbrick describes, this misjudgment placed them within cannon shot of their adversaries.

During the fierce fighting, Abigail Adams, the wife of future President John Adams, and their son John Quincy Adams, who would also become a president, witnessed the chaos from a distance in Boston. A British officer reported a scene filled with “shocking carnage,” a sight that would remain imprinted in his memory for life.

Despite being politically motivated and often lacking discipline, the rebel forces were determined. Although they retreated at the end of the battle, they inflicted significant casualties on the British—over 200 dead and more than 1,000 wounded—while sustaining around 450 colonial casualties and causing extensive destruction in Charlestown. Bunker Hill embodies a recurring theme of the Revolutionary War: a tactical defeat for the rebels that became a symbolic victory, as they only needed to demonstrate their capability to resist British forces.

In the aftermath of the battle, Thomas Jefferson reflected on the newfound confidence among the rebels, writing to a friend in early July about their ability to confront the full force of Great Britain, provided they were willing to exert effort. This sentiment underscores the transformation in American morale and resolve following the Battle of Bunker Hill, solidifying its importance in the broader context of the struggle for independence.