Happy re-birthday Navy!

     Everybody in the Navy knows that they had better have their Service Dress Blues ready for the first part of October because that is when Navy Day Ball goes down. October 13, 1775, that is our Navy's birthday right? Yes and no. let me explain.  The Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, established during the War of Independence by the Continental Congress, ships were built, seamen recruited and officers trained to lead these men and vessels into war. When the War of Independence was over all the ships were sold and the seamen and officers were let go.

When the Constitution was ratified in 1798, Congress was empowered to provide and maintain a Navy. That was when the USS Constitution and USS Constellation were constructed(plus 4 more ships), but the Navy was a branch under the Department of War.
     It wasn't until a Naval war with France was on the horizon that our country realized the need for a permanent department able to procure, train and equip Sailors and ships, this war is now known as the Quasi-War.  so on April 30th, 1798, the Department of the Navy was established with Benjamin Stoddert as the first Secretary of the Navy.
Does this mean the Navy has two birthdays? Well... no, as an active duty Sailor, October 13th is the Navy's birthday.  That is when our Founding Fathers sat down in Philadelphia and voted to construct two ships armed with guns to set sail to intercept British ships carrying ammunition to America.  April 30th is an important day in Naval history though, and I hope this little blog can shed some light on the importance that this day holds.