United States Navy

The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States

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armed forces responsible for naval operations. The U.S. Navy consists of slightly fewer than 300 ships and over 4,000 aircraft. It has over a half million men and women on active or ready reserve duty.

Related Topics:
Armed forces - Naval - Ship - Aircraft

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The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established during the American Revolutionary War. The United States Constitution, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress "to provide and maintain a navy." Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates; one of the original six, USS Constitution, familiarly known as "Old Ironsides," survives to this day.

Related Topics:
Continental Navy - Continental Congress - American Revolutionary War - United States Constitution - 1789 - Frigate - Original six - USS ''Constitution''

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The War Department administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the Department of the Navy on April 30, 1798. The Navy became part of the Department of Defense upon its establishment in 1947.

Related Topics:
War Department - Department of the Navy - April 30 - 1798 - Department of Defense - 1947

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