Navy honors 250-year anniversary

Monday, October 13, 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Navy, when the Continental Congress established the Navy.

This branch of the military traces its roots back to the early days of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British sea power.

The early Continental navy was designed to work with privateers to wage tactical raids against transports supplying British forces into North America. To accomplish this mission the Continental Congress purchased, converted, and constructed a fleet of small ships -- frigates, brigs, sloops, and schooners. These navy ships sailed independently or in pairs, hunting British commerce ships and transports.

Two years after the end of the war, the money-poor Congress sold off the last ship of the Continental navy, the frigate Alliance. In the 1790’s came the expansion of trade and shipping, which raised the threat of attacks by European powers and pirates, and in March 1794 Congress responded by calling for the construction of a half-dozen frigates, The United States Navy was here to stay.

Major celebrations are expected to include a parade, a ceremony at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a Blue Angels flyover.

The Navy is one of three branches of the armed forces celebrating their 250th anniversary. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year, adopting "the American continental army,” making it the most senior branch in order of precedence amongst the armed services. It has its roots in the Continental Army, formed on 14 June 1775 to fight against the British for independence during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). After the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army on 3 June 1784 to replace the disbanded Continental Army.

It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.

Next month, the United States Marine Corps will also mark the 250th anniversary milestone. It too was formed by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, when members passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet, with troops capable of fighting both at sea and on shore. This resolution established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps.