The 250th Anniversary of the United States Army
Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail, and those Caissons go rolling along…
The United States Army, America’s oldest and largest branch of armed forces, will celebrate its 250th birthday this summer. On June 14, 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Second Continental Congress approved the formation of a militia. It was a time of uncertainty for an unstable, would-be nation that was still finding its footing in a struggle for independence from British rule.
Before formal organization, the thirteen colonies relied on local militias. These groups were part-time soldiers who came together to defend their individual colonies in times of unrest through raids and ambushes. Most relied on their own firearms and possessions and had no formal military training. As time went on, these ordinary citizens in the local colonial brigades secretly trained to fight the British.
The actual organization of these previously provincial, unstructured – albeit well-intentioned – groups of soldiers became the Continental Army. The brigade was the initial unified force to represent all 13 colonies in the fight for independence during what later became known as the Revolutionary War.
General George Washington, who had garnered military experience and gained notoriety in the colonies during the French and Indian War (1754-58), served as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The Army managed to secure independence through a combination of strategic battles, guerilla tactics, and the assistance of French allies. Ultimately, the British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781, which ended the war.
In the late 1700s, American patriots recognized the strategic location of the west bank of the Hudson River. Understanding the significance of its position, Washington commissioned designs for the fortifications built at this location that eventually evolved into the United States Military Academy at West Point. The Academy was founded after the Military Establishment Act of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. It opened on March 16, 1802.
Today, the Corps of Cadets (student body) numbers around 4,400, with 1300 active-duty soldiers also in residence. Admission to West Point’s engineering and liberal arts degree programs is very selective, with entrance gained through an appointment made by a U.S. senator or representative.
There are other ways to earn a commission in the U.S. Army – the Army Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC)- which offers competitive educational scholarships, the Officer Cadet School, or direct appointments in select legal, medical, ministerial, and technical fields. All applicants are required to be high school graduates, pass a medical and physical exam, and be at least 17 years of age.
Today, the U.S. Army operates with an active component and two reserve modules – the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. Roughly 500,000 soldiers serve actively in the U.S. Army today, with another 550,000 serving in the reserves. The military branch has over 100 installations worldwide, including major bases and smaller outposts.
You only turn 250 once! That said, there will be celebrations all over the country this summer for the Army’s semiquincentennial anniversary. A tribute to the U.S. Army, which highlighted its various eras, rolled through the Rosebowl Parade in Pasadena this past January in the form of a float entitled: This We’ll Defend: 250 Years of Service.
The U.S. Army Heritage Center Foundation in Carlise, PA, an honored Smithsonian affiliate research library and museum, is planning a birthday dinner on June 14, 2025. Guest speakers and the 28th Infantry Band will entertain ticketholders.
The National Museum of the United States Army in Belvoir, VA, is showcasing a special exhibit entitled Call to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War, which will include a rare collection of Revolutionary War artifacts from the original colonies, as well as England, France, and Canada, along with soldiers’ personal stories from America’s first veterans. The exhibit begins in May and is set to run through the birthday of America in 2026. Virtual attendance is possible.
Report for Family Fun to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Army @ Cantigny Park in Wheaton! Saturday, June 21st, 10-4
Meet active-duty soldiers, play in an inflatable booth camp, make camouflage crafts, and step back in time to see soldiers’ gear throughout history.
Tours of the First Division Museum, gardens, grounds, and Colonel McCormick’s weapon collection are ongoing throughout the year.
