On October 13th, the United States Navy observes its birthday every year. 

The United States Navy (USN) is the United States Armed Forces’ naval warfare service branch and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is currently the largest, most powerful navy in the world, with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage. The service has over 340,000 personnel on active duty and more than 71,000 in the Navy Reserve. 

With only two ships and a crew of eighty men, the Continental Navy was born on October 13, 1775. The decision of the Continental Congress set the Continental Navy on course to carry arms to the British army, not to defend against it. However, these two ships and crew represent the birth of the United States Navy.

Throughout the Revolutionary War, their importance grew. Today, the United States maintains 40 naval bases across the country, including the world’s largest Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Below the sea, submarines became a part of the Navy during World War II. While experiments began in the late 1800s and during the Civil War, they did not become a large part of the Navy inventory until World War II. At that point, subs became necessary for surveillance and rescue, even though they were also armed.

With the advent of the airplane, the Navy became vital stations for the Airforce as well. As a result, the Navy modified ships into floating landing strips. Today, joint Naval and Airbases such as Pearl Harbor-Hickam provide the country with the sea and air defense fleets.

NAVY BIRTHDAY HISTORY

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the first American naval force. Thus began the long and prestigious heritage of the United States Navy. Between 1922 and 1972, the Navy celebrated its birthday on October 27th, the date of Theodore Roosevelt’s birth. The Navy League of the United States designated the date due to Roosevelt’s foresight and vision in elevating the U.S. Navy into a premier force.

The change to October 13th was seen as a more relevant date in line with the first official action legislating a navy. Since 1972, the Navy has officially recognized October 13th as the official date of its birth. 

Regardless of when the Navy observed its birth, the celebration has always been one of pride.  

Explore More…

• Armed Forces Day
• Memorial Day
• Army Birthday
• Navy Birthday
• Air Force Birthday
• Marine Corps Birthday
• Navy Day
• 4th of July
• Independence Day
• Patriot Day
• V J Day
• National Guard Birthday
• Armistice Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
• Military Spouce Appreciation Day
• Maritime Day
• Gold Star Mothers Day
• Flag Day
• POW/MIA Recognition Day
• National Airborne Day
• Loyalty Day
• Remembrance Day
• Wreaths Across America Day
• National PTSD Awareness Day
• USO Birthday
• Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
• Navy Reserve Birthday
• National Forget Me Not Day
• Hug a G. I. Day
• Seabees Birthday
• Rosie the Riveter Day
• Medal of Honor Day
• Vietnam War Veterans Day
• Gold Star Spouces Day
• Former POW Recognition Day
• Airforce Reserve birthday
• Purple Up For Military kids Day
• Army Reserve Birthday
• National Military Brat’s Day
• Military Appreciation Month
• Silver Star Service Banner Day
• Month of the Military Child
• V E Day
• D Day
• Freedoms Ring

HOW TO OBSERVE #NavyBirthday

Celebrate with the U.S. Navy. Join Navy personnel as they celebrate their history and military heritage. Learn about naval history in the United States and around the world. Explore the various fleets the Navy uses. Celebrate a sailor you know by giving them a shout out. Use #HappyBirthdayNavy to post on social media.