apr 30, 1798 - Signs “An Act to establish an Executive department, to be denominated as the Department of the Navy.” [Link to pdf of the text of the Act.] The Secretary of the Navy will have responsibility (subject to Presidential direction) for “construction, armament, equipment and employment of vessels of war, as well as all other matters connected with the naval establishment of the United States.”
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Date:
apr 30, 1798
Now
~ 227 years ago