LATHAM-- The National Guard of the United States turns 375 Years old today,Dec. 13. On this day in 1636 the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law establishing formal militia companies in the colony. These companies were made up of all adult males older than 16 and were expected to meet and train in military skills regularly.In New York, the first citizen-soldiers were members of the Burgher Guard, organized by the Dutch East Indian Company in 1640 to help protect New Amsterdam from their English neighbors in Massachusetts and Virginia or from hostile natives.
Citizen soldiers of the militia and National Guard have fought in all of America’s wars from King Philips War against Native Americans in the New England Colonies in 1675 to the struggle in Afghanistan today.
DMNA Press Releases
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WNYT -- Wed, 28 Oct 2026 Clifton Park Veteran to receive 2026 Veteran of the Year Award SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (WNYT)- Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Barry Hartman has been named the 2026 Veteran of the Year by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum (FNYMM) and... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 26 Oct 2026 Naval Militia promotion Michael Golden, an Afghanistan War veteran from Ballston Spa, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the New York Naval Militia during a ceremony at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga... (more)
Olean Times Herald -- Wed, 21 Oct 2026 Emergency preparedness program Monday at Little Valley Fire Department LITTLE VALLEY New York National Guard members will be sharing tips on how to cope with a disaster and then recover quickly during a special program at 11 a.m. Monday at the Little Valley... (more)