The United States Army was founded on June 14, 1775, a 250th anniversary highlighted alongside America250.
The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. Congress appointed George Washington as its commander in chief on June 15, one day after establishing the army. The force brought together colonial military units for service under continental authority.
The Army’s founding date is commemorated annually as the U.S. Army birthday. It predates the Declaration of Independence by more than a year, showing that organized military resistance preceded the formal announcement of independence.
The Army’s anniversary should not be confused with the birthdays of the other U.S. military services. The Marine Corps traces its founding to November 10, 1775, while the Navy was established on October 13, 1775. Those dates are separate from June 14.