The United States Army reached its 250th anniversary on June 14, 2025, during the wider America250 period.
The Army traces its establishment to June 14, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of troops for the Continental Army. That date is also observed annually as the Army’s birthday. The 2025 milestone came one year before the national 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
A large Army 250th Anniversary Parade took place in the Washington, D.C., area on June 14, 2025. The event began near the Pentagon and continued toward the National Mall, featuring soldiers, military vehicles, aircraft, horses, and bands. It was described as an early or “soft launch” of the broader anniversary season.
The Army anniversary is distinct from America250’s principal national date. The Army was founded in 1775, while the Declaration was adopted in 1776. Both milestones fall within the Revolutionary War era but commemorate different events.