250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States Navy
This Presidential Proclamation formally sets aside October 13, 2025, as a day to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Navy by the Second Continental Congress in 1775.
The President honors the Navy’s historical role in safeguarding American sovereignty, defending freedom through every major conflict, and salutes the unwavering dedication of active duty and Reserve Sailors and their families, pledging to preserve the Navy's legacy.
The proclamation calls upon all Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and to honor the service and patriotism of all who have served in the maritime fighting force.
Arguments For
Upholds the tradition of presidential recognition for significant national military milestones, fostering national pride and respect for service members.
Acknowledges the indispensable role of the U.S. Navy in securing national sovereignty, protecting trade, and projecting power across major historical conflicts.
Reinforces the patriotic morale and esprit de corps within the Navy by formally celebrating its 250-year history and commitment of service members and their families.
Utilizes the authority vested in the President to officially set aside a day for public commemoration, ensuring the Navy's history is formally recognized by all Americans.
Arguments Against
The proclamation is symbolic and does not allocate specific funding or mandate new policy changes, potentially framing it as a purely ceremonial act.
The date referenced (October 13, 2025) suggests this proclamation is being issued for a future event, which some critics might view as unusual timing for a proclamation, depending on official standard operating procedures.
Focuses heavily on historical martial achievements ('mightiest, most lethal') which some may argue overlooks contemporary diplomatic or humanitarian roles the Navy plays.
The use of a Proclamation for a military anniversary is common, but critics might argue that significant honors are better bestowed through legislation or dedicated defense budgets rather than executive pronouncements.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
This introductory text identifies the document as a formal declaration issued by the President of the United States, signaling its legal and ceremonial authority.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the rising tide of revolution surged from land to sea when the Second Continental Congress established what would ultimately become the United States Navy — the mightiest, most lethal, and most legendary maritime fighting force ever conceived. Today, we honor the Navy’s epic role in safeguarding our sovereignty and projecting our power beyond our coasts. We salute the Navy’s indispensable role throughout every chapter of our national story. Above all, we pay tribute to the generations of gallant Sailors who have fearlessly lived by those timeless words: * Non sibi sed patriae* — Not for self, but for country.
The paragraph commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Navy's establishment by the Second Continental Congress during the revolution.
It praises the Navy as a powerful maritime force crucial for protecting U.S. sovereignty and projecting power abroad.
The President pays special tribute to Sailors for upholding the motto, "Not for self, but for country."
Nearly 6 months after the American Revolution erupted into open fire at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the path to independence remained long and uncertain. Following King George III's rejection of the Olive Branch Petition — the American Colonies’ final attempt to avoid full descent into war — it became clear that the Army alone would not be sufficient. Indeed, to protect their freedom of trade, defend their homes against invasion, and seize British supplies at sea, the American Colonies had no choice but to extend their righteous crusade for independence beyond their shores.
This section provides historical context, noting the Navy's founding occurred after fighting started and following the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, which was the colonies' last peace effort.
It explains that creating a naval force was necessary because the Army alone could not secure trade freedom, defend against invasion, or capture enemy supplies.
On October 13, 1775, in a radical and extraordinary act of self-determination, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution to formally establish the Continental Navy.
This states the exact date and action: on October 13, 1775, the Second Continental Congress formally created the Continental Navy as an act of asserting independence.
Almost immediately, the Congress purchased ships and established a naval committee, which quickly took up its immortal place in history. In the 250 years since, our American story has been infused with seminal naval battles fought by legions of Sailors who safeguarded our liberty with unwavering grit. In every conflict — from our fight for independence, through two world wars, to battles in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf — the Navy has secured our sovereignty at sea and heroically defended our birthright of freedom against every enemy, big or small.
The Congress rapidly began acquiring ships and created a naval administrative committee immediately after the resolution passed.
The text emphasizes that over the subsequent 250 years, the Navy has been central to American history, securing liberty through major engagements worldwide, explicitly naming conflicts from the nation's founding through the Persian Gulf War.
In November 1781, just weeks after the Patriots’ triumph over British forces at Yorktown, General George Washington penned a letter to a French military officer, in which he stated: “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.” 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 quotes General George Washington from 1781, emphasizing that decisive naval power is required for any definitive success in military action.
The President reaffirms this belief on the anniversary, offering praise to current active duty and Reserve Sailors and their families for their dedicated service. The section concludes with a pledge to protect the Navy, the country, and freedom for the future, invoking the famous naval phrase, "We will never give up the ship."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2025, as a day to commemorate the founding of the United States Navy with appropriate ceremonies and programs. I call upon all Americans to honor the Navy’s rich heritage, and the patriotism of all who have served.
This is the formal enacting clause.
The President, using constitutional authority, officially proclaims October 13, 2025, as the commemoration day for the Navy's founding.
It directs that appropriate ceremonies be held and asks all citizens to honor the Navy's history and the patriotism of its service members.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This concluding statement formalizes the document, indicating when the President signed the proclamation: ten days before the commemoration date, on October 10, 2025.
It includes the President's signature line.
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