WEBVTT

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- The modern National
Guard draw its heritage

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to December 13, 1636 when
the Massachusetts Bay Colony

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General Court issued an order establishing

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the first British colonial militia.

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The following year,
three regiments mustered

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for the first time at Salem Common.

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Today, the descendens
of those regiments share

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the distinction of being the oldest units

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in the U.S. military.

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That is why December
13th marks the beginning

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of the organized militia
and the National Guard.

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The Militia Act of May 8, 1792

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permitted existing militia
units to retain their linage

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and honors which is
the legal basis for why

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the National Guard is older
than the United States.

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Happy birthday, National Guard.