Founding the Nation Trail

When tensions between the American colonies and the British boiled over in 1775, New England militia fired some of the first shots in what would become a war for independence. Established by Congress on 14 June 1775, the Continental Army became the first truly national institution and an experiment in nationhood. Led by Gen. George Washington, the Continental Army and the states’ citizen-soldiers won the war of independence after eight long years of fighting.  Later, the United States faced the British again in the War of 1812. After initial reverses, the U. S. Army ‘s conduct in the war earned the respect of other nations and inspired a newfound sense of national pride.