U.S. Navy happens every year on October 27. It’s a day to recognize the U.S. Navy and the people who serve in it. The date connects to President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, who was known for his strong support of the Navy.
But here’s something interesting: the Navy itself officially celebrates its birthday on October 13, the day the Continental Navy was created back in 1775 during the American Revolution. So there are actually two Navy-related days in October — Navy Day and the Navy’s Birthday.
History of Navy Day in the United States
Navy Day began in 1922, thanks to the Navy League of the United States. They picked October 27 because it matched Roosevelt’s birthday and because he played such a big role in expanding the Navy in the early 1900s.
For years, it was a big deal. In 1945, after World War II, President Harry S. Truman reviewed a massive fleet in New York Harbor on Navy Day. Crowds lined the waterfront to watch hundreds of ships come home. It was one of the largest peacetime military parades ever held.
Later, in 1949, the government created Armed Forces Day to celebrate all branches together. After that, Navy Day wasn’t as widely promoted, though veterans’ groups and communities still kept it alive.
Then, in 1972, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, the Chief of Naval Operations, made it official that the Navy’s own birthday would be celebrated on October 13 instead. That’s why both dates still exist today.
How Is Navy Day Celebrated Today?
Nowadays, the U.S. Navy mainly focuses on its birthday on October 13, which is celebrated with Navy Birthday Balls, cake-cutting ceremonies etc.
Navy Day, on the other hand, is more of a public or local tradition these days. You’ll still see social-media posts, small events at museums, and articles about the Navy’s history. Some schools and local groups also use it to thank sailors and veterans.
When Is Navy Day Observed in the United States?
U.S. Navy in the United States is always observed on October 27. Although it’s not a federal holiday, many Americans still recognize the day to show appreciation for naval service and history. Here’s when Navy Day falls over the next few years:
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 27 | Monday |
| 2026 | October 27 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | October 27 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | October 27 | Friday |
| 2029 | October 27 | Saturday |
| 2030 | October 27 | Sunday |
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, celiac & gluten-free days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025-2026 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
