On This Day, June 14: Army established as 1st U.S. military branch

Published: Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 7:00 am

On This Day: A Look Back at Key Historical Events

Today, June 14th, marks a day of significant historical events. In 1775, the Continental Congress took a pivotal step by establishing the Army, marking the inception of the first U.S. military service. Two years later, in 1777, the Stars and Stripes was adopted as the national flag.

The 20th century saw several notable occurrences. In 1922, President Warren G. Harding made history as the first U.S. president to broadcast a message over the radio. The world of entertainment was forever changed in 1933 with the publication of the first Superman comic book. The Second World War cast a long shadow, with German troops marching into Paris in 1940. The introduction of Univac I, the world's first commercial computer, occurred in 1951. In 1954, the Pledge of Allegiance was updated with the addition of "under God."

The latter half of the century brought further developments. In 1982, the Falkland Islands War concluded with a cease-fire announcement. In 1985, the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 captured global attention. The Chicago Bulls secured their sixth NBA title in 1998.

The 21st century has also witnessed significant events. In 2003, the Czech Republic voted to join the European Union. In 2013, Hassan Rouhani was elected president of Iran. 2017 was a year marked by tragedy and political developments, including the Grenfell Tower fire, a shooting at a Republican team charity baseball practice, and the election of Leo Varadkar as Ireland's prime minister. In 2022, Canada and Denmark resolved a long-standing territorial dispute. Most recently, in 2023, a tragic boat accident in Greek waters resulted in nearly 80 fatalities.

BNN's Perspective:

This day's historical events highlight the multifaceted nature of human history, encompassing military advancements, technological innovations, political shifts, and moments of both triumph and tragedy. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of societies and the enduring impact of past decisions.

Keywords: Army, U.S. military, flag, President Harding, radio, Superman, Paris, computer, Pledge of Allegiance, Falkland Islands War, hijacking, NBA, Czech Republic, European Union, Iran, Grenfell Tower, shooting, Canada, Denmark, boat accident, Greek waters, history, events, June 14th

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