On June 17, 1775, American and British forces would engage in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Despite the name, most of the fighting occurred on and around nearby Breed's Hill. Though the British technically won the battle, British casualties were far greater than had expected and the battle is generally considered to have been a Pyrrhic victory for the British. After the fighting had ended, the American forces had suffered 450 men killed, wounded, or captured. The results of the Battle of Bunker Hill led to the replacement of General Gage as commander of the British forces in North America by General Howe. The Proclamation of Rebellion, a hardening of Britain's stance against the rebelling Americans, was also issued by King George III in response to Bunker Hill and the Olive Branch Petition, a final attempt to avoid full-blown war by the Americans. This Proclamation would in turn strengthen support for rebellion throughout all thirteen colonies.

The flag shown is known as the Flag of New England. Though there is no official version of this flag, the version illustrated is of the variety portrayed in artist John Trumbull's The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775. Trumbull was a witness to the battle and his portrayal of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is currently used for the reverse of the American two dollar bill.