By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) David Danals, Defense Media Activity Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) --
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 with the intent to send them out on a cruise of three months to intercept transport vessels carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. "We have challenges, but we have people who can meet those challenges," said Mabus. "The people that you [the Sailors] 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." Following the formal ceremony, a cake-cutting was held which included Mabus, Greenert, and the youngest Sailor from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operation's Staff.
The following video is a compilation of photos from over 400,000 Face Book members in celebration and commemoration of the Navy's 236th Birthday! Thanks to our friend JP Malone for sending this our way.
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, 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. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. 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 of the Continental Navy and released the seamen and officers. The Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress "to provide and maintain a navy." Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates in 1794, and the War Department administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the Department of the Navy on 30 April 1798.
Not to be confused with the Navy Birthday, or the founding of the Navy Department, is Navy Day. The Navy League sponsored the first national observance of Navy Day in 1922 designed to give recognition to the naval service. The Navy League of New York proposed that the official observance be on 27 October in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, who had been born on that day.
In 1972 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of 13 October as the Navy's birthday. In contrast to Navy Day, the Navy Birthday is intended as an internal activity for members of the active forces and reserves, as well as retirees, and dependents. Since 1972 each CNO has encouraged a Navy-wide celebration of this occasion "to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service."
