Military Branch Birthdays

•National Guard. December 13, 1636. On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. 

•Army. June 14, 1775. The U.S. Army was founded when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of "riflemen to serve the United Colonies,” for one year.

•Navy. October 13, 1775. The Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British sea power. 

•Marine Corps. November 10, 1775. The Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet.  

•Coast Guard. August 4, 1790. The Coast Guard traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue.2

•Air Force. September 18, 1947. World War II had been over for two years and the Korean War lay three years ahead when the Air Force ended a 40-year association with the U.S. Army to become a separate service.  

(Thanks, Mikey)