This Day in History: March 11

On this day in 1779, in the middle of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress formed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps’ initial mission, which continues to this day, was to help plan, design and prepare environmental and structural facilities for the fighting forces. Comprising civilian workers, members of the American Continental Army and French officers, the Corps played a key role in battles at Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown. [More]