Exhibits: Military Appreciation Month

Military service has long, storied history in New York State. From the colonial period to the present, New Yorkers have always answered the call in times of military conflict. Colonists participated in many wars, including King William's, Queen Anne's War, King George's War, and the French and Indian War. 

Nearly one-third of all Revolutionary War battles took place in New York, including the battles of Long Island, Oriskany, Bennington, and Saratoga. New York contributed nearly 52,000 soldiers to the patriot cause, more than any province except Massachusetts and Virginia. During the War of 1812, New York supplied more than 77,000 men in volunteer and militia units. New Yorkers once again stepped up to serve during the Civil War, contributing 465,000 soldiers to Union armed forces, more than any other state.

New Yorkers served overseas during the Spanish-American War (1898); Philippine-American War, or "Philippine Insurrection" (1899-1902); and China Relief Expedition against the "Boxer Rebellion" (1900-1901). Approximately 10% of American troops mobilized for World War I came from New York, many of them distinguishing themselves in units like the Harlem Hellfighters and the Fighting 69^th Infantry Division. More than 900,000 men and women from the state served in the armed forces during World War II.

New Yorkers on the home front have supported war efforts, as well as the veterans who served and their families. The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), founded as a fraternal organization in 1866 by Union veterans, supported voting rights for black veterans and lobbied the U.S. Congress to establish veterans' pensions. New York’s Civil War veterans established nearly 700 GAR posts. During World War I, the New York State War Council administered programs concerned with childcare, discrimination, civil defense, salvage collection, social welfare, farm labor, and education, and involved over 100 communities.

Records in the New York State Archives document the military service of New Yorkers, the support activities of citizens on the home front, and the commemoration of the state’s military past. Records include military service abstracts, land grant documents, claim applications, GAR records, commemorative publications, photographs, and contemporary films.