Happy 235th Birthday, U.S. Navy

Mackenzie Eaglen / October 13, 2010

Today, the 235th birthday of the U.S. Navy, Heritage thanks all of America’s sailors and their families, retirees, and veterans.

On October 13, 1775, Congress enacted legislation providing for the outfitting of America’s first two warships. While Navy missions have evolved significantly from searching for munitions ships supplying the British, the essential role America’s maritime forces play in securing our nation and allowing prosperity to flourish is unchanged. The U.S. has the finest men and women in uniform on, above, and below the high seas safeguarding our national interests at home and around the globe. From John Paul Jones to Old Ironsides and then to Theodore Roosevelt’s launch of the Great White Fleet; from the “Man the Guns—Join the Navy” campaign during WWII to establishing one of the world’s most elite and respected fighting forces, the Navy SEALs, America’s Navy has always answered the call.

We are reminded of the great sacrifices made by sailors throughout history, but their sacrifice doesn’t end in the confines of a history book; it continues today. (more…)