responsible for land-based military
operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services
. The modern army has its roots in the Continental Army
which was formed on 14 June 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War
. The Congress of the Confederation
officially created the United States Army on 3 June 1784 after the end of the Revolutionary War to replace the disbanded Continental Army.
1775 American Revolutionary War: the Continental Army is established by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of the United States Army.
1789 The United States Department of War first establishes a regular army with a strength of several hundred men.
1806 Pike expedition: United States Army Lieutenant Zebulon Pike begins an expedition from Fort Bellefontaine near St. Louis, Missouri, to explore the west.
1835 Osceola leads his Seminole warriors in Florida into the Second Seminole War against the United States Army.
1856 American Old West: On the Sonoita River in present-day southern Arizona, the United States Army establishes Fort Buchanan in order to help control new land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase.
1861 American Civil War: Baltimore riot of 1861, a pro-Secession mob in Baltimore, Maryland, attacks United States Army troops marching through the city.
1861 American Civil War: Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States Army in order to command the forces of the state of Virginia.
1861 The United States Army abolishes flogging.
1861 American Civil War: Citing failing health, Union General Winfield Scott resigns as Commander of the United States Army.
1873 A group of Modoc warriors defeat the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, a part of the Modoc War.