United States National Guard Timeline of Events

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United States National Guard

The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National Guard and hold a civilian job as well...

Timeline of Events

1636

12.13.1636

The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. This organization is recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.

1916

6.3.1916

The National Defense Act is signed into law, increasing the size of the United States National Guard by 450,000 men.

1969

10.9.1969

In Chicago, the United States National Guard is called in for crowd control as demonstrations continue in connection with the trial of the "Chicago Eight" that began on September 24.

1970

5.4.1970

Vietnam War: Kent State shootings: the Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after disturbances in the city of Kent the weekend before, open fire killing four students and wounding nine others. The students were protesting the United States' invasion of Cambodia.

1971

9.13.1971

State police and National Guardsmen storm New York's Attica Prison to end a prison revolt.