The Continental Army was established by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, as a unified military force to fight for American independence from British rule. Led by General George Washington, who was appointed Commander-in-Chief the following day, the army was composed of volunteers from the Thirteen Colonies, including people of varied backgrounds—free and enslaved African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants. Despite chronic shortages of weapons, clothing, and supplies, it became a disciplined fighting force through training efforts like those at Valley Forge, where Prussian officer Baron von Steuben helped implement standardized drills. The army played a pivotal role in key Revolutionary War battles, including the Siege of Boston, the surprise attack at Trenton, the turning point victory at Saratoga, and the decisive siege of Yorktown in 1781, which ultimately led to British surrender. Though officially disbanded in 1784 after the Treaty of Paris, the Continental Army’s legacy lives on as the foundation of the United States Army and a symbol of early American unity, resilience, and determination.
