The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775 by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. Some might be surprised to learn that the official birthday of the United States Navy is October 13, 1775. The hope was that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British sea power. He ordered the day to be celebrated to "enhance [the] appreciation of our Navy heritage" and encourage "pride and professionalism in the Naval Service". The US Navy birthday, established on October 13, 1775 means that today is their 244th birthday. Congress at the time was somewhat oblivious to the need for naval power. It's not an easy as just picking a name. U.S. Navy Military History. Pirate Problem It's a huge honor for a ship to be named after a person. Here are five things to know about the US Navy: A color illustration published in 1899 depicts the commander in chief of the Continental Navy in 1776, Commodore Esek Hopkins, with his officers. Please consider donating now. In 1775, the thirteen American Colonies were under attack by hostile forces from across the Atlantic Ocean. The United States Navy celebrates October 13, 1775 as its birthday because that is the date on which the Continental Congress officially authorized the funding of two ships to interdict British forces. Between 1819 and the start of the Civil War, the U.S. Navy operated an Africa squadron which suppressed the slave trade, capturing more than 36 slave ships during this time. The Imaginative Conservative is sponsored by The Free Enterprise Institute (a U.S. 501(c)3 tax exempt organization). On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress purchased two armed vessels to attack British ships and prevent them from reaching soldiers in the colonies. (Gifts may be made online or by check mailed to the Institute at 9600 Long Point Rd., Suite 300, Houston, TX, 77055.). The service is comprised of about 2,000 personnel and operates in 191 locations in more than 41 countries, according to. The vessels then deployed on a three-month mission to stop munitions from reaching British armies. Back then, it was known as the Continental Navy and consisted of a small fleet of ships patrolling to intercept ships sent to resupply British Army troops at or near the colonies. Thank you for this article and Happy Birthday to our Navy! 1775 Month Day November 10 ... the bill establishing the U.S. Marine Corps as a permanent military force under the jurisdiction of the Department of Navy… Sailors hoping to be a SEAL must successfully complete arduous training, including "Hell Week" in which candidates endure a week of constant stressful training with little sleep. Sailors assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 conduct military dive operations off the East Coast of the United States. When the infant Navy was first formed, it consisted of just two armed vessels – tasked with disrupting munition ships … By Jenni Fink On 10/13/19 at 3:00 AM EDT. For thousands of years, nations have looked to the sea as a “global commons” that provides a source of sustenance, a means to efficiently trade goods in mutually advantageous economic transactions, and as a highway for the transport of armies. But the land forces were few and the sea forces then nonexistent. NCIS special agents fire the MK18 gun during range qualifications. In 1819, Congress gave the duty and responsibility of naming ships to the Secretary of the Navy. The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775 by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in … After restoring freedom of navigation to the Mediterranean, the U.S. Navy prevented the invasion of New York state by the British in the War of 1812. He frequently leads small-group seminars at the U.S. On October 13, 1775, the United States Navy was established. Congress at the time was somewhat oblivious to the need for naval power. It's an actual law enforcement agency. This day falls on October 13th and celebrates this branch’s establishment in … Whether it is the trade of wheat, oil, pork, steel, timber, or finished goods, global commerce is enabled by the protection afforded by the United States Navy. Over the course of the Revolutionary War, more than 50 Continental vessels harassed the British, seized munitions, supplied the Continental Army, and engaged in international commerce with European allies like France. Naval Academy. Some 1,700 privateers captured more than 2,200 enemy ships during the Revolutionary War, compared to perhaps 200 ships captured by the Continental Navy. The recommendations are based on research and suggestions from military personnel and the public. While its activities aren't always as dramatic as the TV show presents them, NCIS says it solves and prevents crimes "ashore, afloat, and in cyberspace. Today, the US Navy is the largest naval force in the world. In June, it authorized the Continental Army; in October it authorized the Continental Navy, for much the same rationale as with the Continental Army. The Navy was run by the Department of War until Congress established the Department of the Navy in 1798. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world. President George Washington signed the Naval Act of 1794 creating a permanent standing US Navy. Republished with gracious permission from Constituting America. NCIS isn't just a hit TV show. Two US Navy training vessels take part in the parade for Fleet Week 2019, on May 22, 2019 in New York. Jeff Truitt serves as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve. The day is mainly celebrated by personnel, veterans, or other people related to the navy. In 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the first … In 1972, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, authorized the Navy to celebrate its birthday on 13 October to honor the establishment of the Continental Navy in 1775. Eliot’s “The Cocktail Party”: The Language & Doctrine of Atonement. He was a commissioned officer in the Continental Navy and he commanded commissioned warships. The Navy Birthday Celebration is a time honored tradition celebrated every year on October 13. The congressional intent was that it would control both land and sea forces o the United States. Each year about 1,000 candidates start SEAL training, but only 200-250 actually complete it. Hopefully most Americans are still aware of the critical role that the U.S. Navy played in defending twice against the German threat in as many generations, as well as its defeat of Imperial Japan in 1945. Since 1922, Navy Day has been celebrated on October 27th, chosen to correspond with the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt, a significant force in building up the strength of the Navy. However, a month earlier, General George Washington, acting unilaterally, deployed three schooners off the coast of Massachusetts and thereby provisioned the colonies with their first naval forces. Before long, the young country began facing threats from pirates and others wishing to disrupt its seaborne commerce. Historical Events for the Year 1775. In an effort to curb British Sea Control, the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy, which later, on October 13, 1775, became the United States Navy. https://www.militarytimes.com/video/2020/10/13/happy-birthday-navy The United States Marine Corps Birthday is celebrated every year on 10 November with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony. It gives me great pleasure to say “Happy 245th Birthday” to our great Navy. This zone is bordered by a number of other coastal states with superior claims, according to an international tribunal that considered the matter in exhaustive detail. US Navy Birthday Founded on October 13, 1775, the US Navy describes itself as the “largest, most advanced, and most lethal fighting force the world has ever known.” In … The tribute is usually reserved for naval leaders and national figures who are considered heroes of war or made extraordinary achievements in peace. The Continental Congress was a de facto coalition of 13 colonies in an uprising against the mother country, in part to coordinate the militia armies of the rebellious colonies. Your donation to the Institute in support of The Imaginative Conservative is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The featured image is “The ship Columbus of the Continental Navy” by W. Nowland Van Powell and is in the public domain, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. To defend its interests, Congress moved to reestablish a naval fleet. It is critical that we continue to support navigational rights around the world. Quality Navy ships are expensive and by 1785, the Continental Navy had been completely disbanded. The Continental Congress established the US Navy- which only had two ships meant to intercept transport ships. In 1775, there was no United States, not even United Colonies. Keep in mind that essays represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Imaginative Conservative or its editor or publisher. The Continental Congress established the US Navy- which only had two ships meant to intercept transport ships. So Pres Adams had to get Congress to establish the Navy Department, resulting in endless problems until the DoD came into being in 1947. In 1972, nearly 200 years after its founding, Adm. Elmo Zumwalt designated October 13 as the Navy's official birthday. Navy SEALs are the US Navy's special operation force. The day is generally observed by Navy troops and veterans, with a big formal dinner and Navy Birthday Ball. This day also honors the men and women who serve or served the country in the Navy. The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politics—we approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. 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