The United States Army was officially founded on June 14, 1775. Prior to this point the soldiers who were about to go up against British forces in the fight for independence were unorganized without any formal chain of command. At this time the Second Continental Congress took control over the scattered army and established a system for it. George Washington was given the title of the commander in chief and was able to prepare his men for the upcoming war. The Army’s Birthday celebrates the nearly 250 years that the army has been keeping America safe.