October is a big deal for members of the armed forces especially for the members who serve in the naval warfare branch of the U.S. military. Navy Day was first celebrated in 1922 by the Navy League, a non profit civilian organization, as a day to pay tribute to
the men and women of the U.S. Navy. At that time, October 27 was considered the birthday of the Navy based on a document presented by Congress in 1775. That document supported a fleet of merchant ships bought to form a colonial navy. President Theodore Roosevelt, who served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and who also birthday also falls on this date had supported Navy Day.
Between the years of 1922 to 1949, the U.S. Navy would send ships to various U.S. ports where public celebrations were held. 1949 was the last day officially celebrated when Louis Johnson announced that Armed Forces Day would replace Navy Day. As the Navy League was a civilian organization, it was not affected by Johnson's directive and as such continued celebrations.
Historians of the U.S. Navy in 1970, after doing research, officially proclaimed that the U.S. Navy's birthday would be October 13 and not the 27th. Despite the official change, Navy Day continues to be celebrated on October 27 which is the date that's deeply entrenched into Navy tradition for more than quarter century.
October is a big deal for members of the armed forces especially for the members who serve in the naval warfare branch of the U.S. military. Navy Day was first celebrated in 1922 by the Navy League, a non profit civilian organization, as a day to pay tribute to
the men and women of the U.S. Navy. At that time, October 27 was considered the birthday of the Navy based on a document presented by Congress in 1775. That document supported a fleet of merchant ships bought to form a colonial navy. President Theodore Roosevelt, who served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and who also birthday also falls on this date had supported Navy Day.
Between the years of 1922 to 1949, the U.S. Navy would send ships to various U.S. ports where public celebrations were held. 1949 was the last day officially celebrated when Louis Johnson announced that Armed Forces Day would replace Navy Day. As the Navy League was a civilian organization, it was not affected by Johnson's directive and as such continued celebrations.
Historians of the U.S. Navy in 1970, after doing research, officially proclaimed that the U.S. Navy's birthday would be October 13 and not the 27th. Despite the official change, Navy Day continues to be celebrated on October 27 which is the date that's deeply entrenched into Navy tradition for more than quarter century.