Illinois Valley Times

In a Dec. 13 Facebook post, Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) celebrated the birthday of the National Guard.

“Since 1636, members of the National Guard have been 'Always Ready, Always There' to support our nation. Happy 386th birthday to the National Guard and thank you to all who have served!" Swanson posted. He included a link to the National Guard website with more information.

According to its website, "The military organization we know today as the National Guard came into existence with a direct declaration on Dec. 13, 1636. On this date, the Massachusetts General Court in Salem, for the first time in the history of the North American continent, established that all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join the militia. The North, South, and East Regiments were established. The decree excluded ministers and judges. Simply stated, Citizen-Soldiers who mustered for military training could be and would be called upon to fight when needed."

Another National Guard web page says, "Dec. 13, 1636, thus marks the beginning of the organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard’s oldest organized units is symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today’s National Guard."

The Militia Act of May 8, 1792, permitted militia units organized before May 8, 1792, to retain their “customary privileges.” This provision of the militia act was perpetuated by the Militia Act of 1903, the National Defense Act of 1916 and subsequent law.