Bunker Hill Monument (Battle of Bunker Hill site)

The Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown commemorates the June 17, 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the earliest major engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Colonial forces under leaders including Colonel William Prescott occupied the heights during the battle. The phrase 'Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes' is traditionally attributed to Prescott or other colonial officers, but its exact origin is debated by historians. The 221-foot granite obelisk and surrounding park mark the battlefield and memorialize participants from both sides.