- The Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution, though the British gained little ground in their victory over the heavily fortified American positions. - In May 1775, the Second Continental Congress divided over whether to pursue full independence from Britain or seek reconciliation. They authorized George Washington to command the army surrounding Boston. - Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" was published in 1776 advocating for immediate American independence, which was then formally declared on July 4th of that year with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.