The Continental Army became the unified army of the American Revolution on June 14, 1775.
The Second Continental Congress created the army as colonial forces gathered around Boston after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The date is commemorated today as the birthday of the United States Army.
Congress initially organized the force from militia units already fighting the British. Two days later, on June 16, Congress appointed George Washington of Virginia as commander in chief. Washington traveled north and took command near Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July.
The Continental Army was distinct from state militias, although the two often operated together. It remained the principal American regular force through the war, including the Yorktown campaign in 1781. June 14 is sometimes confused with Independence Day, but the army predates the Declaration by more than a year.