On June 14, 1877 Henry Ossian Flipper (1856 – 1940), born
into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1856, became the
first African American cadet to graduate from the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point, New York, earning a
commission as a second lieutenant in the United States
Army.

Flipper was also an author who wrote about scientific topics
and his life experiences.

A painting depicting Lt. Flipper near the Rio Grande River,
TX in 1880 while scouting with company A, 10th US Cavalry
Regiment.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized
the enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United
Colonies for one year.

This launched the U.S. Army as America’s first national institution, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was published on July 4, 1776.