Happy 249Th Birthday US Navy!

#NavyBirthday

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 Naval ships 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 sea and air defense fleets.

​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.

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