On This Day
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George Washington takes command of Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It was formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia after the war's outbreak at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. As a result, the U.S. Army Birthday is celebrated on June 14.

The Continental Army was created to coordinate military efforts of the colonies in the war against the British, who sought to maintain control over the American colonies.

Historical Significance

The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

Events Before

  1. British House of Lords rules authors do not have perpetual copyright

    Perpetual copyright, also known as indefinite copyright, is copyright that lasts indefinitely.

  2. Chief Justice John Jay (28) weds Sarah Van Brugh Livingston (17)

    Chief Justice John Jay (28) weds Sarah Van Brugh Livingston (17)

  3. Boston Port Act: Following the passage of the act, the British government orders Port of Boston closed to punish colonis

    Boston Port Act: Following the passage of the act, the British government orders Port of Boston closed to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party

  4. English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen by isolating it in its gaseous state

    Joseph Priestley (24 March 1733 – 6 February 1804) was an English chemist, Unitarian, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator and classical liberal political...

  5. Twelve of the thirteen American colonies adopt a trade embargo against Great Britain at the First Continental Congress i

    Twelve of the thirteen American colonies adopt a trade embargo against Great Britain at the First Continental Congress in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Events After

  1. United States Declaration of Independence

    The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.

  2. "Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence

    Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.

  3. Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"

    Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish…

  4. Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjami

    Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members

  5. Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"

    The United Colonies of North-America was the official name as used by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia for the newly formed proto-state comprising the Thirteen Colonies in 1775 and...

More from the 1770s

United States Declaration of Independence

The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.

politics government

US founding father Thomas Jefferson (30) marries Martha Wayles Skelton (23)

Martha Skelton Jefferson was the wife of Thomas Jefferson from 1772 until her death in 1782. She served as First Lady of Virginia during Jefferson's term as governor from 1779 to 1781.

Date of action in Victor Herbert and Grant Stewart's opera "Madeleine"

Date of action in Victor Herbert and Grant Stewart's opera "Madeleine"

The London Credit Exchange Company issues the first traveler's cheques, which can be used in 90 European cities

The London Credit Exchange Company issues the first traveler's cheques, which can be used in 90 European cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 3, 1775?
The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It was formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia after the war's outbreak at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. As a result, the U.S.
Why is George Washington takes command of Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts significant?
The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

Explore More

July 3 in HistoryYear 1775