The Navy birthday is October 13. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to fit out a swift sailing vessel with 10 carriage guns and 80 men to intercept British supply ships, the act that created the Continental Navy. The U.S. Navy turned 251 on October 13, 2026. The date became the official Navy Birthday in 1972; before that, many Americans celebrated Navy Day on October 27.
Why is the Navy birthday on October 13?
The Navy birthday is on October 13 because on that day in 1775 the Continental Congress first voted to arm ships at its own expense. The resolution called for “a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten Carriage Guns, and a proportionable number of Swivels, with Eighty Men”, as recorded in the papers of John Adams, who served on the committee. Congress authorized a second vessel the same day. The Continental Navy was disbanded in 1785, and the modern Navy grew from the Naval Act of 1794 and the creation of the Department of the Navy in 1798.
| Birthday | October 13, 1775 |
|---|---|
| Official birthday since | 1972 (Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Chief of Naval Operations) |
| Department | Department of the Navy |
| Active-duty sailors | 327,936 (DOD active-duty demographics, September 2025, via Air & Space Forces Magazine) |
| 2026 anniversary | 251st |
What is the difference between the Navy Birthday and Navy Day?
The Navy Birthday (October 13) marks the founding of the Continental Navy, while Navy Day (October 27) was a public celebration that began in 1922. Navy Day was set on October 27 because it was the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt, a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and president who championed a strong fleet. In 1972, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of October 13 as the Navy’s birthday, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. The Navy treats the birthday mainly as an internal celebration for sailors, reservists, retirees and their families.
How does the Navy celebrate its birthday?
The Navy celebrates its birthday with cake-cutting ceremonies aboard ships and at shore commands, birthday balls and a message from the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. The Marine Corps, which shares the Department of the Navy, celebrates its own birthday on November 10, four weeks later.
How can you honor a Navy veteran on October 13?
You can honor a Navy veteran on October 13 with a message, a call or a gift tied to their service at sea. Our Navy veteran gifts include the U.S. Navy Veteran Tee and the Navy Veteran Challenge Coin. If you plan to give a coin, read what a challenge coin means first. Muster USA orders ship within 1 to 3 business days and arrive in 5 to 12 business days, so order at least 3 weeks before the date. Delivery times are on our shipping policy page.
