File:Seal_of_the_United_States_Board_of_War_and_Ordnance.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Continental Army
Sign in to savecolonial army during the American Revolutionary War
Key facts
- Founder
- Second Continental Congress
- Commander in chief
- George Washington
- Dates of operation
- June 14, 1775 ( 1775-06-14 ) – 1783 ( 1783 )
- Allegiance
- United Colonies (1775–1776) , United States (1776–1783)
- Size
- 48,000 at peak (231,000 served in total)
- Allies
- Kingdom of France , Spanish Empire
- Opponents
- British government, British Army , German auxiliaries
- Colors
- Dark blue
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.jpg
Show 3 more facts
- Commons category
- Continental Army
- inception
- 1775-06-14
- dissolved, abolished or demolished date
- 1784-06-02
via Wikidata · CC0
~38 min read
Article
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. General George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and maintained this position throughout the war.