On this day in history, March 16, 1802, United States Military Academy established at West Point

Susan Eisenhower recounts her grandfather's role during D-Day.

The United States Military Academy at West Point, which has trained generations of American leaders to serve from the battlefield to the White House, was established on this day in history, March 16, 1802.

Its graduates pioneered America's way west and mankind's path into the heavens. 

The academy's creation was part of the Military Peace Establishment Act, introduced by Massachusetts Congressman Joseph Varnum, and signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson.

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"Congress established a separate Corps of Engineers to be located at West Point, New York, and constituted it as a military academy with the Chief Engineer serving as superintendent," writes the website of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

"This action, taken at a time when the overall size of the Army was reduced, placed the Corps on permanent footing and capped a quarter-century of efforts to provide professional training for officers."

View of West Point. George Washington selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the fortifications for West Point in 1778. President Thomas Jefferson established the United States Military Academy in 1802. Engraving by Milbert. Panorama Universal. History of the United States of America, from 1st edition of Jean B.G. Roux de Rochelle's Etats-Unis d'Amerique in 1837.  (PHAS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The United States Military Academy opened for instruction on July 4. Massachusetts native Joseph Gardner Swift was its first graduate. 

West Point, as its commonly known, stands today as the world's premier institute of