Honoring the Battle of Bunker Hill

Today is Friday, June 17. It's Bunker Hill Day. Here are five things you need to know today.

1. It all started here, 236 years ago. Colonial soldiers fortified the neighborhood and prepared for a pivotal match against the British Army. On June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill (and really, Breed's Hill) hobbled the British. And though they managed to seize Bunker Hill while Charlestown burned, the battle is remembered as a turning point for the colonists. Colonists fighting in the Battle of Bunker Hill crippled the British and spurred revolutionaries to an ultimate victory. Want more history on the battle? Read .

2. The historic significance of the Battle of Bunker Hill will be recognized today with a . They start at 9 a.m. with an ecumenical service of remembrance at St. Francis de Sales. At 9:45 a.m. there will be a procession from the church down Bunker Hill Street to the monument. At 10 a.m. there will be patriotic exercises at the monument. The ceremony will close at 11:30 a.m., with folks from the Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts Sons of the American Revolution. They'll lay wreaths and fire a musket salute at the gates of the park. All of the events are free and open to the public.

3. Hey, maybe you've heard something about the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup? The parade to celebrate the B's historic victory over Vancouver is happening this Saturday. It starts at 11 a.m. at TD Garden and it will end at Copley Square. Stay tuned for the official parade route.

4. And if you want to avoid the crowd and stay in the neighborhood for a very different kind of activity, you can check out the garden tour of Charlestown. It's a self-guided tour. Stop by the Sullivan Square Community Garden between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a map and a ticket, which is $15.
For more info, contact Daphna Cox at daphnacox@comcast.net.

5. 
Today's forecast: A good chance of showers with a high near 76.

For more info on what's happening around the neighborhood, check out our events calendar.