1775

The Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to appoint George Washington head of the Continental Army.

1864

Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton signed an order establishing a military burial ground which became Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

1904

More than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York’s East River.

1934

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act making the National Guard part of the U.S. Army in the event of war or national emergency.