The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775, making that date its birthday during the America250 period.
The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army to coordinate the military forces of the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War. George Washington was appointed commander in chief shortly afterward, on June 19, 1775.
The Army’s 250th anniversary fell in 2025, one year before the United States Semiquincentennial’s main 2026 celebration. The anniversaries overlap because the Army was established during the Revolutionary crisis, before the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
June 14 is also Flag Day in the United States, although the Army’s birthday and Flag Day commemorate different historical developments. The Army traces its institutional lineage to the Continental Army, which was later reorganized under the federal government after independence.