June 17th: On This Day America Fell and Triumphed

June 17 brought some difficult times in U.S History, but America triumphed and her Statue of Liberty brought a symbol of freedom and democracy.

1775: Battle of Bunker Hill

Many historians consider the Battle of Bunker Hill a great turning point in the War for Independence. On this day, the Revolutionary Army was preparing to face the advancing British forces at Bunker Hill in Boston, Massachusetts. If the British had gained position, they would have had complete control over Boston Harbor. However, the Revolutionaries had built a six foot high dirt wall on the hill while the British forces slept the night before the battle. This gave the Americans the upper hand, and despite their loss, the colonial forces dealt significant casualties against the British. This victory provided a much needed confidence boost for the Revolutionaries.

1972: Watergate Robbers Arrested

On this day in 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the Watergate offices of the Democratic National Committee. James W. McCord, Virgilio R. Gonzales, Frank A. Sturgis, Eugenio R Martinez, and Bernard L. Barker were the men involved with tapping the phones in the offices and taking photos of a list of contributors to the Democratic Party, according to Watergate.info. This act, and President Richard Nixon’s attempted cover-ups of the Watergate scandal lead to his resignation of the Presidency on August 9, 1974. He openly admitted to his lies during his nationally televised speech the evening before the 9^th.

1885: Statue of Liberty Arrives in New York Harbor

On this day in 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty arrived in 350 individual pieces in more than 200 cases, according to U.S history.com. The copper and iron statue was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony preceded over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland. The Statue of Liberty still stands as a world renowned symbol of freedom and democracy. In 1892, Ellis Island, located near the Statue of Liberty, opened as America's chief Immigration station. For the next 62 years, the newly nicknamed Statue of Liberty watched over more than 12 million immigrants who sailed into New York Harbor. Each individual got to witness her symbol of freedom as they began their new lives.