It's the U.S. Army's birthday. Originally created as a small force, its soldiers have played a major role in the U.S.'s growth and defense.

Millions of American soldiers have marched in military parades since the Civil War, which marked the tradition as a fundamental ritual of American unity.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to replace the colonies' part-time militias with a full-time army – and after 1,300 battles and skirmishes, the Army, led by Gen. George Washington, defeated the British Empire,

The parade must go on, and the Army sidestepped a major crisis of image and messaging. The Army’s 250th birthday parade was not the grand military spectacle that many anticipated, and for that Americans can breathe a momentary, measured sigh of relief.

The Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway told FNC's "Fox News Sunday" panel that she enjoyed President Trump's military parade yesterday: SHANNON BREAM: Those who didn’t think the imagery was a good idea for this president included Peggy Noonan,

Members of the APG community planted 250 black-eyed Susan flowers at the Living Legacy Forest to commemorate the Army’s

America’s oldest military service turns 250 on Saturday. If you see an active duty, former, or retired member of the Army, wish their service a happy birthday.