For America250, which American military service traces its founding to June 14, 1775?

For America250, the United States Army traces its founding to June 14, 1775.

The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army during the early Revolutionary War. Congress appointed George Washington as its commander in chief shortly afterward, and he took command in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July 1775. The army fought the British campaign that ultimately secured American independence.

The Continental Army was not identical in organization to today’s U.S. Army, but the modern service recognizes June 14, 1775, as its birthday. The date also explains why June 14 is observed annually as the Army birthday. In 2025, the Army reached its 250th anniversary, one year before the nation’s own America250 observance.

The Continental Army was separate from the Continental Navy and the Continental Marines, which Congress authorized later in 1775. That distinction is a frequent source of confusion when Revolutionary-era military dates are compared. The Army’s anniversary connects America250 with the military institutions created during the founding conflict.