On this day in history September 29,1789 Congress Officially Created the U.S. Military

In its very first session, the United States Congress had a lot of decisions to make. One important topic the first representatives and senators needed to address was establishing the U.S. military. There already was a colonial army--the Continental Army--that had fought the British in the American Revolution and won under General George Washington. But this army was not the official army of the United States.

Finally, on September 29, 1789, the last day of its first session, the U.S. Congress passed an act to establish the United States military. However, this happened only after President Washington reminded them, twice!

Washington wrote a letter on August 7, 1789, to remind the Senate and the House of Representatives to create provisions for the U.S. military. He told them he didn't need to argue for an issue on which the "honor, safety and well being of our Country so evidently and essentially depend: But it may not be amiss to observe that I am particularly anxious it should receive an early attention as circumstances will admit." The Secretary of War, Henry Knox, read this aloud to the members of Congress, but they did not immediately act upon it.

Three days later, on August 10, Washington again urged Congress to address the issue. Finally, on September 29, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bill that established the armed forces of the United States of America. This probably meant very little change to the men already serving, but it meant a lot to George Washington. Over time, the United States Navy, Marines, and Air Force would join the ground troops.

George Washington to Congress, August 7, 1789, Indian Affairs

United States, August 7, 1789.

The Business which has hitherto been under the consideration of Congress has been of so much importance that I was unwilling to draw their attention from it to any other subject. But the disputes which exist between some of the United States and several powerful tribes of Indians within the limits of the Union, and the hostilities which have in several instances been committed on the frontiers, seem to require the immediate interposition of the general Government. I have therefore directed the several statements and papers, which have been submitted to me on this subject by General Knox to be laid before you for your information. While the measures of Government ought to be calculated to protect its Citizens from all injury and violence, a due regard should be extended to those Indians whose happiness in the course of events so materially depends on the national justice and humanity of the United States. If it should be the judgment of Congress, that it would be most expedient to terminate all differences in the Southern District, and to lay the foundation for future confidence by an amicable Treaty with the Indian Tribes in that quarter I think proper to suggest the consideration of the expediency of instituting a temporary Commission for that purpose, to consist of three persons whose authority should expire with the occasion. How far such a measure unassisted by Posts, would be competent to the establishment and preservation of peace and tranquility on the frontiers, is also a matter which merits your serious consideration.

Along with this object I am induced to suggest another, with the national importance and necessity of which I am deeply impressed; I mean some uniform and effective system for the Militia of the United States. It is unnecessary to offer arguments in recommendation of a measure, on which the honor, safety and well being of our Country so evidently and essentially depend: But it may not be amiss to observe that I am particularly anxious it should receive an early attention as circumstances will admit; because it is now in our power to avail ourselves of the military knowledge disseminated throughout the several States by means of the many well instructed Officers and soldiers of the late Army; a resource which is daily diminishing by deaths and other causes. To suffer this peculiar advantage to pass away unimproved, would be to neglect an Opportunity which will never again occur, unless unfortunately we should again be involved in a long and arduous War.

They should have followed Benjamin Franklin’s advice.

“Connecticut’s Representative James A. Shanley told the House that Benjamin Franklin had envisioned parachute troops in 1784. In a letter about balloon ascensions in Paris that year he wrote: “Where is the prince who can afford so to cover his country with troops for its defense, as that 10,000 men descending from the clouds might not in many places do an infinite deal of mischief, before a force could be brought together to repel them?”

AIRBORNE!

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