Mass. Marks National Guard's 375 Anniversary

Gov. Deval Patrick is marking 375 years since the Massachusetts colonial legislature formed the country's first permanent National Guard regiments, a move that eventually created the oldest units of the U.S. Army.

The beginnings of the National Guard are traced back to Dec. 13, 1636, when the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the organization of the local militia companies into the North, South and East Regiments. Those militia units entered service as regiments of the Continental Army in June 1775 in Cambridge.

Patrick is scheduled to mark the National Guard anniversary Tuesday at the State House.

Last year, Patrick signed a law designating the city as the National Guard birthplace. The National Guard says the first muster of the East Regiment took place in Salem, although the exact date is unknown.