Army Birthday
People in the United States celebrate the Army's Birthday on June 14 every year.
On June 14, 1775, in the middle of the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress decided that to better organize the fight against the British, the colonies should all be unified under one force. Thus, the American Continental Army was founded.
Army Birthday is not a federal holiday, so businesses and schools remain open as usual.
Army Birthday History
The American revolutionary war started on April 1775. The fighters that enlisted to fight against the British forces were militia groups paid for and equipped by the colonies, but without any organization, command, or strategy. Different groups fought under different banners which showed a lack of unity on the part of the US against their common enemy.
When a battle was approaching in Boston in June, it became clear that Congress should find a solution for the militia strategy, which wasn't working. After the Committee of the Whole reached an agreement, the American Continental Army was created, with George Washington as its commander.
This allowed riflemen to enlist and serve in the army, and a committee was appointed to create the rules and regulations for the said army. The first branch of the American military to be founded on that day was the Infantry. Over the year, the U.S. Army has significantly expanded its forces.
The first Army service training program for new recruits took place between 1777 and 1778. In 1787, with the signing of the United States Constitution, it became defined that the acting President of the United States also acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the army.
With the United States Declaration of Independence only having been enacted on July 4, 1776, this means that the American army is older than the country it serves.
Army Birthday celebration
Branches of the Army usually celebrate Army Birthday in their base by organizing special events. Their families also visit for celebratory lunches and dinners. Besides this, commemorative ceremonies are also held.
Around the U.S. Military bases of the world, there is the Army Birthday Ball. It is a black-tie event where attendees pay their respects to those who lost their lives serving in the U.S. Army and also welcome the newest recruits.
You too can take part in the Army Birthday celebration in the following ways.
- Currently, there are 171 VA Medical centers in the US that look after war veterans and retired military people. You can volunteer at your local VA medical center.
- You can visit military monuments and memorials nearby to pay your respect. Some of the most famous memorials in the United States include Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Washington D.C., and National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
- You can send things such as snacks, stationery, and nonperishable items in a care package for the army. This can be done with the help of USO centers which provide various services and amenities for the service people.
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