Today, 14 June, way back in 1775 the US Army was established.
The Continental Congress, having convened in response to the events of Lexington and Concord, passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen [sic], be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; … [and] that each company, as soon as completed [sic], shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.
With this resolution, the Continental Congress adopted the New England Army of Observation, making it a “continental” army — a united colonial fighting force — that could represent all 13 colonies with the addition of the troops from the three middle colonies. The Continental Army thus became America’s first national institution.
George Washington was chosen as the Commander in Chief of the new Army. His commissioning letter, dated 19 June 1775 reads:
IN CONGRESS
THE delegates of the United Colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode-island,
Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle Kent & Sussex on Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON Esquire
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, conduct and fidelity Do by these
presents constitute and appoint you to be GENERAL AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF of the army of
the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them and of all others who
shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said army for the defence of American Liberty
and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. And you are hereby vested with full power and
authority to act as you shall think for the good and Welfare of the service.
AND we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command to be
obedient to your orders & diligent in the exercise of their several dut[ies.] AND we do also enjoin
and require you to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict
discipline and order to be observed in th[e] army and that the soldiers are duly exercised an[d]
provided with all convenient necessaries.
AND you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of war (as
herewith given you) and punctually to observe and foll[ow] such orders and directions from time
to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the said United Colonies or a
committee of Congress for that purpose appointed.
This Commission to continue inforce until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By order of the Congress JOHN HANCOCK President
Dated Philadelphia June 19th 1775.
Attest CHAS THOMSON Secy.
Since then, the Army has fought on 5 of the 7 continents, winning two world wars and several smaller conflicts along the way.