Marching Out Into the Future

Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army on June 14, 2025 at Artillery Park.

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The U.S. Army Turns 250

Visit Artillery Park (tour stop #7) on Saturday, June 14, 2025 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and learn about the equipment and experiences of soldiers from many different eras, from the American Revolution to present day.

At 3:30 PM, join park rangers, volunteers, living history presenters, and current members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on a short march from Artillery Park to the General von Steuben Statue overlooking the Grand Parade for a ceremonial wreath laying.

Note: In the event of rain, activities will be moved inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge. Check this webpage or Valley Forge social media for updates.

The Birthplace of the American Army

Did you know that the U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence?

Despite this fact, many historians consider Valley Forge to be the birthplace of the U.S. Army, where in 1778 the concepts of basic training, the professionalization of the officer corps, and the rise of the army’s distinctive branches, such as the corps of engineers, all got their start.

Park your car in the Artillery Park parking lot and explore stations set up along the Baptist Trace Trail.

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10 AM to 3:30 PM - Explore Stations

The U.S. Army from the Revolutionary War to Present Day

1. Event Information and Junior Ranger Table

2. Revolutionary War Era - National Park Service living historians

3. War of 1812, U.S. Civil War, and other 19th Century Wars - National Park Service and Historic Military Impressions living historians

4. World War I & II Eras - Living historians from Historic Military Impressions

5. Vietnam War Era - Helicopter pilot Rich Crosley

6. Late Cold War Era (1976 to 1990) - Colonel (Ret) John McFassel

7. Operation Iraqi Freedom Era - Stryker Driver Veteran Steve Walter

8. Present Day - Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 1-111th Infantry Battalion

11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM - Black Powder Musket Firing Demonstrations

At four times during the day, head over to the cannons at Artillery Park to watch park rangers demonstrate black powder musket firing.

3:30 PM - March to the Baron von Steuben Statue & Wreath Laying Ceremony

At 3:30 PM join park rangers, volunteers, living historians, and military members on a half-mile march from Artillery Park to the Von Steuben Statue overlooking the Grand Parade. At the statue, a wreath laying ceremony will conclude the day's activities.