Established by an Act of Congress on March 16, 1802, the Military Academy at West Point is located approximately 50 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River. It is the oldest regularly garrisoned military post in the United States, continuously occupied since January 20, 1778. That is the date when Tadeusz Kosciuszko completed his fortifications here, considered to this day a standard in military fortification practice.

by Denice Szafran-Liscomb © May 2002 Polish American Journal WEST POINT, N.Y.—On May 4, 2002, a Memorial Mass at the Catholic chapel of the Most Holy Trinity at West Point commenced ceremonies marking the 200th anniversary of the United States Military Academy at West Point. The Mass was followed by a cadet parade, and ceremony at the Kosciuszko Monument.

THIS FACSIMILE OF A MAP OF WEST POINT, drawn by Kosciuszko in 1779, shows the principal fortifications he designed and built. Kosciuszko sent this map to General McDougall, along with a letter, which was later published in the “Official Guide to West Point and the Military Academy.”