By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) David Danals,
Defense Media Activity Public Affairs
U.S. Navy personnel attended a birthday celebration honoring the Navy’s 236th year
of establishment at the Pentagon, Oct. 13, 2011. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief
of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert were also in attendance. “We’ll
continue shaping events overseas and at home like we have for 236 years,” said Greenert.
“It is our heritage, it’s in our DNA. Happy birthday.”
The Navy was established by the Continental Congress after votes were made to fit out two
sailing vessels to intercept transport ships carrying munitions and stores to the British Army
in America. “The people that you represent, the people who are today standing the watch,
[are here] so that the rest of this country can sleep well every single night; so Navy, happy
236th birthday,” said Secretary Mabus.
The following video is a compilation of photos from over 400,000 Facebook members in
celebration and commemoration of the Navy’s 236th Birthday! Thanks to JP Malone for
sending this our way.
Navy Birthday History
The Chief of Naval Operations has stated that the Navy Birthday is one of the two
Navy-wide dates to be celebrated annually. The United States Navy traces its origins to the
Continental Navy, established by the Continental Congress on 13 October 1775. All together,
the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately
twenty warships active at its maximum strength.
After the American War for Independence, Congress sold the surviving ships and released
the seamen and officers. The Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, empowered
Congress “to provide and maintain a navy.” Congress ordered the construction of
six frigates in 1794, and the Department of the Navy was established on 30 April 1798.
Not to be confused with the Navy Birthday is Navy Day. The Navy League sponsored the
first national observance of Navy Day in 1922, on 27 October in honor of President Theodore
Roosevelt. In 1972 CNO Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of 13 October as the
Navy’s birthday — intended as an internal celebration for active forces, reserves,
retirees, and dependents.
