What is the birthday of the Army National Guard? The official birth
date of the Army National Guard as a reserve component of the
Army is December 13, 1636. On this date, the Massachusetts
colonial legislature directed that the colony’s existing militia
companies be organized into three.

When the National Guard’s oldest regiments met for their first drill
on the village green in Salem, Massachusetts, they were barely
three months old, organized on December 13th, 1636, the date
we now celebrate as the National Guard birthday.

Vice President Al Gore (above) conceded defeat to George W. Bush
in his bid for the presidency, following weeks of legal battles over
the recounting of votes in Florida, on December 13, 2000.     

In a televised speech from his ceremonial office next to the White
House, Gore said that while he was deeply disappointed and
sharply disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict that ended
his campaign, ”partisan rancor must now be put aside.”

“I accept the finality of the outcome, which will be ratified next
Monday in the Electoral College” he said. “And tonight, for the
sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy,
I offer my concession.”

Gore had won the national popular vote by more than 500,000
votes, but narrowly lost Florida, giving the Electoral College to
Bush 271 to 266.

George W. Bush (left) shakes hands with Al Gore.