Two hundred and fifty years after the Second Continental Congress established the United States Navy, President Donald J. Trump has issued a proclamation marking October 13, 2025, as a day to commemorate its founding.
The statement recalls the origins of the Navy during the American Revolution. After King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition and hostilities began at Lexington and Concord, American leaders determined that military action at sea was necessary for independence. On October 13, 1775, Congress formally created what would become the U.S. Navy.
President Trump’s proclamation outlines the Navy’s involvement in key moments throughout American history. It highlights naval battles from the Revolutionary War through both world wars and more recent conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
The President cited General George Washington’s words following victory at Yorktown: “It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.” He added: “On this 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, we reaffirm those mighty words. We salute the extraordinary devotion of our active duty and Reserve Sailors and the families who bear the sacrificial life of service with unmatched resilience and grace — and we pledge to keep our Navy, our country, and our inheritance of freedom alive and flourishing for generations to come. We will never give up the ship.”
The proclamation calls on Americans to honor both past and present service members: “I call upon all Americans to honor the Navy’s rich heritage, and the patriotism of all who have served.”
Signed by President Trump on October 10, 2025, this formal recognition underscores both historical significance and ongoing contributions of those serving in America’s naval forces.
