Paul M. Krueger

The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy, predecessor of the United States Navy.

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ㅤEstablished on October 13, 1775, by the Continental Congress, the Continental Navy served as the naval force for the United Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. Championed by patrons like John Adams, the navy was created to combat British forces, though it never achieved the same success as the Continental Army. Initially composed of converted merchant ships due to funding limitations, its primary missions were to raid British commerce for supplies and protect American shipping. After the American victory, the Continental Navy was disbanded in 1785, but its legacy and traditions were carried on by the United States Navy.

ㅤEstablished in response to attacks by Barbary pirates, the United States Navy was created by the Naval Act of 1794, which authorized the construction of its first six heavy frigates. Throughout its history, the Navy has played a pivotal role in major conflicts, including blockading the Confederacy during the American Civil War and leading the effort to defeat Imperial Japan in World War II, from which it emerged as the world’s most powerful navy. Today, the modern U.S. Navy maintains a formidable global presence as a blue-water navy, capable of projecting force worldwide and responding to regional crises, making it a frequent instrument of American foreign policy.