From sail-powered beginnings in 1775 to today’s global force for peace, power, and presence, the U.S. Navy has stood at the forefront of American defense and innovation. This timeline highlights key moments across 250 years of naval history—battles, breakthroughs, and milestones that have shaped not just the Navy, but the nation.
To learn more, visit the Navy History page, or check out this document!
🗓 1775–1800
June 11–12, 1775 – Battle of Machias: the first naval engagement of the American Revolution, when Massachusetts militia captured the Royal Navy schooner HMS Margaretta.
June 12, 1775 – The sloop Unity captures Margaretta, marking the first Royal Navy vessel to surrender to colonial forces
October 13, 1775 – Continental Congress authorizes creation of a naval committee and the purchase of two armed vessels—often celebrated as the U.S. Navy’s birthday
October 18, 1775 – Burning of Falmouth (now Portland, Maine): Royal Navy bombardment spurs colonial resistance and momentum toward naval formation
November 17–18, 1775 – Raid on Charlottetown: American privateers seize Charlottetown in St John’s Island (Prince Edward Island), escalating naval activities in British North America
Dec 1775/Jan 1776 – Commissioning of schooners Wasp and Hornet, among the first Continental Navy ships seeing service in early operations including the Bahamas raid at Nassau
1794, March 27 – Naval Act authorized construction of six frigates, founding the permanent U.S. Navy
1805, April 27 – Battle of Derna in the First Barbary War becomes the first U.S. armed intervention victory on foreign soil
⚔️ 1800–1875
1862, March 9 – Battle of Hampton Roads: iconic clash of ironclads USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia (Merrimack), heralding a new era in naval warfare
📘 19th Century (1876–1899)
February 15, 1898 – Explosion of USS Maine in Havana Harbor, a catalyst for the Spanish–American War
April 24, 1898 – USS Nashville captures enemy ship, initiating naval actions in the Spanish–American War
May 1, 1898 – U.S. formally declares war on Spain
July 1, 1898 – Commodore George Dewey orders: “You may fire when ready” at Manila Bay, securing a decisive U.S. naval victory
August 1898 – Fall of Manila by Dewey’s forces; Dewey is later appointed first Admiral of the Navy (April 11, 1900)
⚓ Early 20th Century (1900–1940)
December 16, 1907 – February 22, 1909 – The Great White Fleet circumnavigates the globe, projecting U.S. naval power under President Roosevelt
1921–1922 – Washington Naval Conference leads to major treaties limiting capital ship construction and shaping naval policy
1923–1940 – Annual Fleet Problem exercises conducted across oceans and the Panama Canal Zone, refining interwar naval strategy
🌊 World War II and Cold War (1941–1960)
1954 – USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, is launched and later pioneers Arctic operations
1960 (Feb–Apr) – Operation Sandblast: USS Triton completes first submerged circumnavigation of the globe, showcasing nuclear submarine endurance
🧭 Late Cold War Era (1961–1976)
1949 – Revolt of the Admirals, a major political-policy conflict over Navy funding, shapes postwar naval doctrine and aircraft carrier strategy
1950s–1960s – Operation Formation Star and related Cold War naval movements mark high-seas confrontation with the Soviet Union, especially during the Pueblo Incident (1968)
July 1, 1975 – U.S. naval training halted on Culebra Island; carrier designation changed from CVA to CV
July 24, 1975 – Apollo‑Soyuz recovery mission: HS‑6 helicopters on USS New Orleans recover astronauts, concluding the Apollo era of spaceflight at sea
🔹 1976: U.S. Bicentennial & Humanitarian Missions
July 4, 1976 – The Fourth International Naval Review in New York Harbor marks the U.S. Bicentennial. Hosted on President Ford’s review aboard USS Forrestal, it featured warships from over 30 nations
March 22, 1976 – USS Dahlgren (DDG‑43) conducts a high-seas rescue of a British crew 80 miles south of Crete
May 1976 – Navy ships support relief operations in Guam and the Philippines after Typhoon Pamela strikes
🧭 Cold War Developments, Strategic Shifts
1976–1980 – Revival of Cold War strategy under the Committee on the Present Danger and the push for a 600-ship Navy dramatically influences U.S. naval posture
JB CHS Events
The Navy’s official 250th Birthday page highlights national celebrations throughout 2025, with a focus on October’s Flagship Week in Philadelphia (Oct 9–16). It also mentions commemorative ceremonies, community outreach, historical tributes, and Navy Week events nationwide leading up to the birthday on October 13. Events will honor the Navy’s legacy and future through ship visits, public engagements, and cultural showcases.
You can view the full event list and updates here:
🔗 https://www.navy.mil/Navy-250/
• Arrival of U.S. Navy ships
• Blessing of the Fleet
• Ship tours begin (10 a–4 p)
• Public ship tours (10 a–4 p)
• Navy–Maritime Academy soccer cup
• Static displays + 2.5‑mile Navy & Marine Corps run
• Navy–Temple football game
• Ship tours & static displays (10 a–4 p)
• Veteran reunion
• St. Mary’s Mass & wreath‑laying
• “Victory at Sea” concert + fireworks
• Flag‑raising ceremony @ Philadelphia City Hall
• Ship tours & displays (10 a–4 p)
• Thanksgiving & Remembrance @ Christ Church
• Marine Corps band & silent drill
• Navy birthday ceremony @ Independence Hall (12:30–2 p)
• Blue Angels flyover
• Ship tours & displays (10 a–4 p)
• Marine band & silent drill performances
• Same as Tuesday
• Closing ceremony
• Departure of U.S. Navy ships
#AmericasNavy Events Across the US
- Blue Angels: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show | Sep 28-29, 2025 | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA
- Blue Angels: California International Airshow | Oct 4-5, 2025 | Salinas, CA
- San Francisco Fleet Week | Oct 5-13, 2025 | San Francisco, CA
- Blue Angels: San Francisco Air Show | Oct 10-12, 2025 | San Francisco, CA
- 250th Navy Birthday Ball, Southwest Region | Oct 11, 2025 | San Diego, CA
- Colorado Rapids Classic 9U-19U Soccer Tournament | Aug 14-17, 2025 | Denver, CO
- Estes Park International Tattoo | Sep 5-7, 2025 | Estes Park, CO
Hartford/Springfield Navy Week | Sep 22-28, 2025 | Hartford, CT
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Executive Engagement Visit-Tampa FL | Sep 15-17, 2025 | Tampa, FL
- Navy 250th Anniversary Dinner Celebration | Oct 14, 2025 | Viera, FL
- Clearwater Jazz Festival | Oct 19, 2025 | Clearwater, FL
- Blue Angels: Florida International Air Show | Nov 2, 2025 | Punta Gorda, FL
- Blue Angels: Homecoming Air Show | Nov 7-8, 2025 | Pensacola, FL
- Dragon Con | Sep 1, 2025 | Atlanta, GA
- Candler Park Fall Festival | Oct 6, 2025 | Atlanta, GA
- Blue Angels: Wings Over North Georgia | Oct 18-19, 2025 | Rome, GA
Guam Navy Ball | Oct 11, 2025 | Dusit Thani Guam – Tumon, Guam
Blue Angels: Kaneohe Bay Air Show | Aug 9-10, 2025 | Kaneohe, HI
Commander Navy Region Hawaii Navy Ball | Oct 11, 2025 | Honolulu, HI
- Lake Forest Day Parade | Aug 6, 2025 | Lake Forest, IL
- Blue Angels: 68th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show | Aug 29-30, 2025 | Chicago, IL
- Wilton Iowa Founders Day Parade | Aug 16, 2025 | Wilton, Iowa
Eastport, ME School Event | Sep 12, 2025 | Eastport, ME
Eastport, ME Public Concert | Sep 12, 2025 | Eastport, ME
Family Fun Day at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) | Aug 16 26, 2025 | Annapolis, MD
McMullen Naval History Symposium | Sep 18-19, 2025 | Annapolis, MD
Army-Navy Game 2025 | Dec 13, 2025 | Baltimore, MD
Boston Cannons Lacrosse Anthem | Aug 9, 2025 | Mansfield, MA
Town of Mansfield 250th Incorporation Day Celebration | Aug 23, 2025 | Allston, MA
Hartford/Springfield Navy Week | Sep 22-28, 2025 | Springfield, MA
Thanksgiving Day Parade | Nov 27, 2025 | Plymouth, MA
Minnesota Twins – Armed Forces Appreciation Day | Sep 14, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN
- Springfield/Branson Navy Week | Aug 25-31, 2025 | Branson, MO
- Blue Angels: Branson Wings of Pride Air Show | Aug 30-31, 2025 | Branson, MO
Blue Angels: Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show | Sep 6-7, 2025 | Portsmouth, NH
Bradley Beach, NJ Public Concert | Aug 17, 2025 | Bradley Beach, NJ
Jersey Blue Claws Baseball Team Public Concert | Aug 19, 2025 | Bradley Beach, NJ
Santa Fe Navy Week | Nov 10-16, 2025 | Santa Fe, NM
- Executive Engagement Visit (EEV): RDML Robert Wirth | Sep 9-11, 2025 | Buffalo, NY
- 27th Annual Battle of Plattsburgh Ceremony | Sep 11-14, 2025 | Plattsburgh, NY
- New York Veterans Week, NYC | Nov 11, 2025 | New York City, NY
- Columbus Navy Week | Aug 18-24, 2025 | Columbus, OH
- Blue Angels: Columbus Air Show | Aug 23-24, 2025 | Columbus, OH
- Eugene Navy Week | Oct 25 – Nov 1, 2025 | Eugene, OR
Eisenhower National Historic Site WWII weekend | Sep 21, 2025 | Gettysburg, PA
Blessing of the Fleet | Oct 9, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA and Camden & Gloucester, NJ
Arrival of the U.S. Navy Ships | Oct 9, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA and Camden & Gloucester, NJ
General Public Visiting of U.S. Navy ships | Oct 10-15, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA and Camden & Gloucester, NJ
Navy & Navy Marine Corps 250th Flagship Weeklong Celebration | Oct 10-16, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
U.S. Naval Academy vs U.S. Maritime Academy Soccer Cup at Subaru Park | Oct 10, 2025 | Chester, PA
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps 2.50 mile run | Oct 11, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Navy and Marine Corps static displays | Oct 11, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Navy-Temple football game at Lincoln Financial Field | Oct 11, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
All Veterans Reunion | Oct 12, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
St. Mary’s Mass and Commodore Barry wreath laying | Oct 12, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Victory at Sea Concert | Oct 12, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Firework Show | Oct 12, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Navy and Marine Corps static displays | Oct 12-15, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Homecoming 250 Navy Marines Parade | Oct 13, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Flag Raising Ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall | Oct 13, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Thanksgiving & Remembrance Ceremony at historic Christ Church | Oct 13, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
U.S. Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Platoon performances | Oct 13-15, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Blue Angels flyover | Oct 14, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
U.S. Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Platoon performances | Oct 15, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Closing Ceremony | Oct 15, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
U.S. Navy ships depart | Oct 16, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
- Sioux Falls Navy Week | Aug 4-10, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD
- Navy Ball Sioux Falls | Oct 18, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Executive Engagement Visit-El Paso | Sep 3-5, 2025 | El Paso, TX
- Wichita Falls Navy Week | Sep 15-21, 2025 | Wichita Falls, TX
BrickFair VA (LEGO enthusiast event) | Aug 2-3, 2025 | Chantilly, VA
Blue Angels: Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show | Sep 19-21, 2025 | Virginia Beach, VA
National Capital Region Navy Birthday Ball | Oct 4, 2025 | Arlington, VA
Naval Submarine League Symposium | Nov 11, 2025 | Crystal City, VA
- Seattle Seafair – Torchlight Parade | Jul 26, 2025 | Seattle, WA
- Seattle Seafair | Jul 29- Aug 3, 2025 | Seattle, WA
- Blue Angels: Boeing SeaFair Air Show | Aug 2-3, 2025 | Seattle, WA
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Headquarters Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony | Aug 15, 2025 | Washington D.C.
Navy Night at Nationals Park (MLB) | Aug 21, 2025 | Washington D.C.
POW/MIA Recognition Day Wreath Ceremony 2025 | Sep 19, 2025 | Washington D.C.
American Veterans Center Annual Speakers Conference | Nov 8, 2025 | Washington D.C.
Veterans Day Wreath Ceremony 2025 | Nov 11, 2025 | Washington D.C.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Wreath Ceremony | Dec 7, 2025 | Washington D.C.
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