Today, marks 250 years of the U.S. Army serving and defending our country. No matter the challenges the Army has faced along with our nation, Army Soldiers and Civilians have had the courage and patriotism to answer the call to serve.
The history of the United States Army began in 1775. From its formation, the United States Army has been the primary land based part of the United States Armed Forces
On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress decided to proceed with the establishment of a Continental Army for purposes of common defense adopting the forces already in place outside Boston (22,000 troops) and New York (5,000). It also raised the first ten companies of Continental troops on a one-year enlistment, riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia to be used as light infantry, who later became the 1st Continental Regiment in 1776.
On June 15, the Congress elected George Washington as Commander-in-Chief by unanimous vote.