The issue of national defense was a lot easier when it was guaranteed by the home power Britain. The British American colonies had no organized military force, and relied on mostly militia in fights against the Indians. On the eve of the War of Independence, however, a hastily organized, ill-equipped force, with no formal training and no clear chain of command would not do against a superbly organized British army. The Massachusetts legislature said as much in their appeal to the Second Continental Congress, urging it to assume control over the scattered New England regiments. Congress agreed, founding the first organized national defense force.

On this day, June 14, in 1775, at the request of John Adams, Congress “adopted” the Massachusetts troops, bringing them under federal, rather than colonial, control. That was the birth of the United States Army.

That same day Congress resolved “to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army,” and authorized $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston, and New York City, the most likely avenues for the imminent British invasion. George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day, and formally took command at Boston two weeks later.