United States Army, 234 Today
With colonial militias confronting British troops garrisoned in Boston, on June 14, 1775 Congress voted to establish the Continental Army … 10 companies of infantry, with the expectation this number would quickly grow. The next day, Congress unanimously voted George Washington, who had been active in its military planning committees, to command the new army, and ordered him to get to Boston. On July 3rd, on a spot now marked by a plaque on Cambridge Common opposite Harvard, Washington took command of what would eventually become … after trial by fire and hardship against British regulars who comprised most powerful armed force in the world at that time … the United States Army. The instrument of liberation of hundreds of millions of people and the greatest single force for peace and freedom in history.*
The 234th anniverary is celebrated at Fort Belvoir.
It’s also Flag Day, with the adoption of Old Glory by the Continental Congress 232 years ago today.
xformed in comments recommends The First American Army: The Untold Story of George Washington and the Men behind America’s First Fight for Freedom.
*OK, the US Navy, Marines, Air Force and allies from many free nations helped, too.
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 12:22 pm Comments (3) on Sunday, June 14, 2009
3 Responses to “United States Army, 234 Today”
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June 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
RAZZLE DAZZLE!
– Stripes
June 16th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Recently found “The First American Army” (at the $ store…figured I couldn’t lose), and it’s turning out to be a great read!
Courage and bravery…from the journals of privates and sargents and a doctor and pastor.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Thanks xformed. sounds good … your suggestion is linked in the post and now appears under “Reader’s Choices” in the Boutique Right-Wing Warmongery at right.