On September 29, 1789, an act of the United States Congress brought the U.S. Army into official existence — a landmark decision that would resonate through the centuries. What began as a legislative measure to secure a fledgling republic laid the groundwork for what would grow into one of the planet's most powerful military institutions, forever linking the nation's origins to its trajectory forward.

Fun Facts:

  • Through an act of Congress on September 29, 1789, the U.S. Army was formally created to serve as a permanent military force safeguarding the newly formed nation.
  • The roots of the U.S. Army stretch back even further — to the Continental Army, founded on June 14, 1775, as a fighting force against British rule during the Revolutionary War. This deep lineage speaks to the Army's storied heritage and its integral part in the American story.
  • When first established, the U.S. Army consisted of a mere 700 soldiers whose primary duty was protecting the frontiers and settlements of the young country. From those modest origins, it would transform over time into a worldwide military presence with over one million active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members serving across the globe.
  • A strong proponent of maintaining a standing army for the sake of national defense, President George Washington drew on his own experience as the former commander of the Continental Army to champion this cause.
  • The fledgling Army's earliest military engagements took place against Native American tribes in the Northwest Territory, as the young nation expanded its borders westward. These initial confrontations reflect the Army's early involvement in American territorial growth and its complex interactions with indigenous peoples.
  • European military traditions — particularly those of France and Prussia — heavily influenced the organizational structure and regulations adopted by the early Army.
  • In the present day, the U.S. Army stands as a global force, with over one million active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members deployed and serving around the world.
  • Encapsulated in its motto, "This We'll Defend," the Army's unwavering pledge to protect the United States endures as a powerful symbol. That steadfast commitment continues to offer the nation a deep sense of security and reassurance.