CARSON CITY — The Nevada National Guard is set to mark the National Guard’s 375th birthday and the Nevada Guard’s 150th birthday Tuesday with a celebration at the Nevada Air National Guard base in Reno at 1:30 p.m.

Col. John Week, the Nevada Air Guard director of staff, will host the event and deliver a birthday speech — and birthday cake.

By order of the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the National Guard was formed on Dec. 13, 1636. The Militia Act of 1903 created the modern National Guard and affirmed the National Guard as the nation’s primary organized combat reserve force. The National Defense Act of 1947 established the Air National Guard as a separate reserve component at the same time it established a separate Air Force.

The Nevada Guard traces its roots to Nov. 28, 1861. On that day, territorial Gov. James Nye signed “An Act in relation to the Militia of the Territory of Nevada” establishing the Nevada National Guard. Nearly three years later, Nevada became a state.