apr 30, 1798 - Signs “An Act (2 Stat 553) to establish an Executive department, to be denominated as the Department of the Navy.” 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.”
Added to timeline:
Date:
apr 30, 1798
Now
~ 227 years ago