June 14, 1775 — The US Army is born today.Established by the Second Continental Congress, the Continental Army begins to grow; it currently consists of six companies of riflemen. Tomorrow (June 15, 1775), George Washington will be appointed by unanimous vote to command the organization.

June 14, 1777 — Two years later, Flag Day is established. John Adams introduced a resolution before Congress stating, “… the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” This anniversary has been celebrated each year since.

June 14, 1807 — On the other side of the pond, today Emperor Napoleon I’s French Grande Armee defeated the Russian Army at the Battle of Friedland in Prussia (modern Russian Kaliningrad Oblast), ending the War of the Fourth Coalition.

Sources

• history.army.mil