A Legacy of Service with Revolutionary Roots

The Army, the Navy, and the Marines are all high-tech, 21st-century institutions, but did you know that all three of these military branches, essential to the defense of the nation, are older than the nation itself?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marks the official birth of the United States of America. And yet the Army, the Navy, and the Marines all have their roots months earlier, in the first days of the American Revolution.

While meeting in Philadelphia in 1775, the Second Continental Congress understood the need for an army to represent all of the colonies and resolved on June 14 to establish the Continental Army. Within days, George Washington was unanimously nominated and then officially commissioned as commander in chief. 

Two months later, seeing the importance of establishing a Continental Navy rather than relying on each colony to maintain its own fleet, the Continental Congress authorized the Navy’s first two ships. Then, in November, it authorized the raising of two battalions of Marines — with a Philadelphia tavern serving as the first recruitment center.

The nation has grown, technology has made breathtaking advances, and our armed forces have served around the world, in peace and in war — but everyone who has worn a uniform since 1775 has a meaningful connection to those first soldiers, sailors, and Marines.

Debuting on May 16, 2025, these three stamps — each soon to be available on its own pane of 20 — commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army, the Navy, and the Marines with designs that convey a timeless sense of honor and tradition. The Postal Service is proud to help celebrate their legacy and recognize their ongoing commitment to the nation.