Navy Day: Yesterday to Today

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Stuart Posada | 210911-N-KL637-1074 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sep. 11, 2021) A jet flies over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during a missing man formation fly-over in remembrance for those who lost their lives 20 years ago during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. GHWB is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stuart Posada)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

10.27.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Valek 

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

ATLANTIC OCEAN – The United States celebrates and honors its military members and veterans with special holidays such as Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day. However, the Navy used to have its own special day of celebration, known as Navy Day, to highlight its Sailors and their service to the country.
The Navy League of the United States, a civilian nonprofit organization, observed the first Navy Day on October 27, 1922. They chose this day specifically because it was considered the Navy’s birthday at the time. President Theodore Roosevelt, who once served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, supported the event.
Between 1922 and 1949, every Navy Day was commemorated with fanfare as U.S. naval ships were dispatched to various ports across the country to celebrate with the public. In 1949 the first Secretary of Defense, Louis A. Johnson, announced that Navy Day would no longer be officially observed. Now on every third Saturday in May, we celebrate all the branches of the military on Armed Forces Day. Despite this, the Navy League continued to celebrate Navy Day with events attended by both civilians and Navy personnel.
In 1970, historians determined the true birthday of the U.S. Navy was actually on October 13 not October 27 and was promptly changed the same year. However, Navy Day continued and still continues to be celebrated on October 27 after being deeply integrated into naval tradition.
While the Navy celebrates its birthday every October 13th, Navy Day is another opportunity to highlight the branch and its Sailors. It is a day to take pride as a Sailor and to show why this is the world’s greatest Navy.

• Date Taken: 10.27.2021
• Date Posted: 10.28.2021 09:24
• Story ID: 408114
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US