Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 14 June 1775
- George Washington was appointed the first Commander-in-Chief. Before that, he had served as a colonel in the Army of Virginia. He was awarded the rank of General, and it was decided there would be four major generals and eight brigadier generals.
The U.S. Army was established on this day in 1775.
Namely, the American Continental Congress (the predecessor of today’s Congress) established the army in order to fight against the British.
The Army also included the existing volunteers units, and approved the establishment of ten new infantry companies, armed with rifles.
At the time, the Congress was known as the Continental Congress (the name “United States” was later introduced), so the army became the Continental Army (it was later renamed, and became the Army of the United States, i.e. the U.S. Army).
George Washington was appointed the first Commander-in-Chief. Before that, he had served as a colonel in the Army of Virginia.
He was awarded the rank of general, and it was decided there would be four major generals and eight brigadier generals.
The United States Army Birthday is annualy celebrated on 14 June.
