- The modern National Guard draw its heritage
to December 13, 1636 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony
General Court issued an order establishing
the first British colonial militia.
The following year, three regiments mustered
for the first time at Salem Common.
Today, the descendens of those regiments share
the distinction of being the oldest units
in the U.S. military.
That is why December 13th marks the beginning
of the organized militia and the National Guard.
The Militia Act of May 8, 1792
permitted existing militia units to retain their linage
and honors which is the legal basis for why
the National Guard is older than the United States.
Happy birthday, National Guard.