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,

Patrizia Brandolese, an Italian employee who works at Caserma Ederle, recently received Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

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.

In 1775, the Continental Congress established the Army as the first U.S. military service. In 1777, the Stars and Stripes became the national U.S. flag. In 1922, Warren G. Harding became the first U.S. president to broadcast a message over the radio. The occasion was the dedication of the Francis Scott Key Memorial in Baltimore.