When is the U.S. Army Birthday?
June 14th is the U.S. Army Birthday.
What is the U.S. Army Birthday?
The Army is the oldest and largest U.S. military branch. Army soldiers trekked across deserts in the Mexican War, stormed the beaches of Normandy, and waded through the jungles of Vietnam. For the bravery and determination of our soldiers, we celebrate the U.S. Army’s Birthday on June 14th.
We commemorate the birth of our nation as July 4th, 1776. Our Army, however, is a bit older. The Continental Congress passed a resolution on June 14, 1775 to gather the ragtag militias into an army. George Washington was appointed the army’s commander-in-chief the next day.
At home and abroad, the Army protects our nation’s interests. We celebrate the Army’s birthday to remember the sacrifices and victories of our soldiers.
Fun facts about the U.S. Army Birthday!
- With over 1 million soldiers, the Army is the 2nd-largest U.S. employer (only surpassed by Walmart).
- 24 presidents served in the U.S. Army.
- In 2015, more than 25% of the Army’s soldiers were at the Specialist E-4 rank.
- The Army owns more than 15 million acres of land and keeps 158 bases around the world.
- Around 80,000 people join the army every year.
- There were only five 5-star generals in army history. The 5-star generalship was established in 1944, and the rank was retired in 1981 after the last 5-star general died.
How to celebrate the U.S. Army Birthday:
- Send a thank you note to any soldiers that you know in the Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, and any of our Army Veterans.
- Dive into Army history. Read about the Army’s role in the frontier wars or the Philippine-American War. Look into the Army Rangers or Delta Force.
What’s the hashtag for the U.S. Army Birthday?
Use #ArmyBirthday on social media to show our Army troops your gratitude.