On December 13th we will be celebrating the 379th birthday of the National Guard. While we celebrate, it is also a great time to learn more about the National Guard and how it began.
Happy 379th Birthday National Guard! Here is a quick history crash course on the National Guard…
On December 13, 1636 the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered that the Colony’s militia companies be organized into different regiments; North, South and East. This was meant to help increase the militia’s accountability to the government. It was also formed to help with conflicts with the Pequot Indians that were living in the area at the time.
White males between the ages of 16 and 60 were obligated to take up arms and to help in the defense of their communities by serving at night in guard details. They also would participate in weekly drills.
The term “National Guard”
Back in the 1600s, the regiments were not called the “National Guard” like they are today. That term started in 1824 when the Marquis de Lafayette, who was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War, came to visit. The 2nd Battalion, 11th New York Artillery Unit met with him and decided to take on the term “National Guard” in honor of the French National Guard. The title was federally formalized in 1916.
The National Guard has been involved in every war since 1637. During modern times this meant that 300,000 were mobilized in World War 2, 138,000 in the Korean War, 10,511 in Vietnam and 63,000 in the Persian Gulf War. The National Guard has also been called up for national disasters, riots and other times when safety issues were a concern.
650,000 were mobilized for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001-2010.
Today, in 2015, there are around 450,000 serving with the Army and Air National Guard. As a spouse of one of them, I am happy to celebrate the 379th birthday of the National Guard. They have come a long way over the years, and have been there to serve our country when needed. The US would not be what it is today without this part of the Military world.
Happy 379th Birthday National Guard!