The United States Army turns 246 years old today.
Since 1775, the nation has been protected by the Army’s elite soldiers on the home front and around the world.
The branch released a 26-minute showcase video featuring clips of soldiers in various roles and missions, along with a musical celebration to commemorate the day.
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville released a joint message marking the branch’s birthday.
“For 246 years, the United States Army has stood strong in the defense of this Nation,” the statement began. “This year, our Army faced unprecedented challenges that swept our Nation and the world. We are incredibly proud of the commitment, resilience, and hard work of our Soldiers from the Active Duty, National Guard, and Army Reserves, and all of our Families, Civilians and Soldiers for Life. It is because of you that we remain a symbol of strength and hope around the world.”
“We are honored to serve with the world’s finest men and women. We will never forget the sacrifices of those who gave the last full measure. We serve to honor the legacies and sacrifices of our past heroes,” the joint message continued.
“Happy 246th Birthday, United States Army!” the message concluded. “People First! Winning Matters! Army Strong!”
When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Congress of the Confederation created the U.S. Army to replace the disbanded Continental Army on June 3, 1784, according to the U.S. Army.
Army soldiers have played a crucial role in wars around the world, defending the U.S. and providing humanitarian assistance globally.
Currently, there are more than one million Army soldiers with approximately 180,000 deployed across 140 countries, according to the U.S. Army.
