The Navy is integral to the United States military and has worked tirelessly to defend our country from threats. In October, we celebrate Navy Day and the Navy’s birthday. We’ll take you through the history of the Navy and the two celebrations in October so you can show your support to our sailors.

The Start of the United States Navy

Amid the American Revolution, the Continental Congress met on October 13th, 1775, to discuss the possibility of intercepting transports from the British. The goal was to stop ammunition and other supplies from being sent from England to British troops during the war.

Continental Congress decided to use a new method to fight the British, purchasing two ships to prevent British ships from supplying their troops. At the same time, the Continental Congress passed another resolution that created a naval committee to oversee the purchase and management of these ships. As a result, the Continental Navy was born on October 13th, 1775.

After two years and the end of the American Revolution, Congress sold the last of their ships due to lack of funding, ending the Continental Navy.

New Beginnings for the United States Navy

Despite selling the ships from the Continental Navy, this military branch was crucial in many conflicts involving the United States. In the 1790s, the world exploded with trade expansion across the waterways, and Congress was forced to take action against the threat of attack from Europe and pirates.

Congress enacted the Naval Act of 1794, which called for the construction of six frigates. The Navy experienced a new beginning, which evolved into thousands of ships and aircraft that are currently in service today.

Celebrating the United States Navy

October has two special days for the Navy: the Navy birthday on October 13th and Navy Day on October 27th. The Navy’s birthday celebrates its origins during the Revolutionary War and increases appreciation for naval heritage. However, Navy Day was created much later.

Navy Day originated in 1922 by the Navy League of New York. Navy Day specifically recognizes naval service in the United States Armed Forces. The 27th was chosen to honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who was born on the same day.

The difference between the two is that Navy Day is specifically about the celebration and appreciation of naval military service, and the Navy’s birthday celebrates the origins and history of the U.S. Navy.

If you’re looking to celebrate either of these holidays, consider the following options:

●Attending events: Many naval bases and local communities will host their own events, including parades and celebrations, to honor Navy Day and the Navy’s birthday. If you want to get out and celebrate these holidays, look on social media pages and community websites, or ask around to see what events are happening during the month.

●Showing your support: A subtle but effective way to celebrate these holidays is to show your support, especially through social media. Make a post showing your support and use relevant hashtags to help it reach more people. You can also thank someone you know for their service in the Navy, whether they’re a friend, family member, or someone from your community.

●Donating to naval charities: You can also support causes that help sailors by donating to charities that support Navy members and their families. There are plenty of charities to choose from, including The Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, The Navy Seal Foundation, The Navy League of the United States, and many more.

Honoring Our Naval Service Members at MLC

Whether you’re in the Navy, have family members who have served, or are just looking for a way to honor one of our distinguished military branches, we hope you take a moment to celebrate Navy Day and the Navy’s birthday. We hope you find a fun and enlightening way to celebrate these holidays, and we would like to thank all our sailors for their service.