The United States Army was founded in 1775, a milestone marked by its 250th Anniversary Parade.
The Continental Army was established by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, during the early months of the American Revolutionary War. The modern United States Army traces its institutional lineage to that force, making 2025 its 250th anniversary year.
The Army anniversary is related to, but distinct from, America250. The Army’s 250th anniversary commemorates the founding of a military institution, while the national semiquincentennial commemorates the 1776 Declaration of Independence and occurs in 2026.
The year 1776 is an easy mix-up because it is central to America250. However, the Army predates the Declaration by roughly a year, and June 14 is observed annually as the Army’s birthday.