Today, October 10, marks the 180th Founders Day of the United States Naval Academy—an enduring institution that has shaped generations of leaders for our nation’s sea services since its founding in 1845.
For 180 years, the Academy’s mission has remained constant: to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically, preparing them to serve and lead with honor, courage, and commitment. Nearly 85,000 men and women have completed “four years by the Bay,” earning their commissions and taking their places in the proud lineage of America’s naval service.
From its humble beginnings at Fort Severn—a 10-acre Army post in Annapolis, Md.—with just 50 midshipmen and seven professors, the Academy has grown to encompass 338 acres and a Brigade of approximately 4,400 midshipmen supported by 1,600 faculty and staff.
Throughout its storied history, the Naval Academy has produced leaders who have shaped the course of our nation. Names such as Dewey, Halsey, King, Lejeune, Nimitz, Rickover, Spruance, Burke, Brown, Stockdale, Bolden, and Lawrence echo through history as reminders of the Academy’s lasting impact on freedom and service.
As America has evolved—technologically, culturally, and strategically—so too has the Naval Academy. What began as a curriculum centered on navigation, gunnery, and steam has become a world-class education in leadership, science, and technology, designed to prepare officers for the complex challenges of the modern fleet. While much has changed since Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft founded the Naval School in 1845, the Academy’s purpose endures. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and look ahead to the next 180 years of developing leaders who will safeguard our nation and shape its future.