Battle of Bunker Hill Quotes

Context

This famous order was given by Colonel William Prescott at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775.

As the British army marched on Bunker Hill, the American militia lured them closer… and closer… and closer… by not doing a thing. It would be like playing dead while a giant black bear sniffed at you, and then stabbing it in the eye at the last second.

This maneuver took nerves of steel, nerves that trickled down from Colonel William Prescott to his men. It was Colonel Prescott who gave the order, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" 

Once they got close enough, the Americans fired, decimating the British troops.

Where you've heard it

This is one of the most famous quotes to come out of the Revolutionary War. It's the more violent (and American) version of Keep Calm and Carry On. 

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Despite their nerves of steel, the Americans lost the battle. But we dare you to name one famous British quote from the Battle of Bunker Hill that people can still recite over 200 years later...yeah, didn't think so.