Amata Honors US Navy’s 250th Birthday
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the anniversary of the United States Navy’s founding in 1775, when the Continental Navy was established the year before the Declaration of Independence. The milestone will be marked with a major celebration in Philadelphia, including a parade, flyovers, fireworks, concerts, and the presence of numerous Navy and historic ships on the river. This year’s Navy birthday coincides with a federal holiday, as Columbus Day 2025 is also on October 13th.
Congresswoman Amata released the following statement:
“Happy 250th birthday to the United States Navy, and today we especially honor and celebrate all our Sailors! In American Samoa, we have a strong tradition of service in the nation’s Armed Forces, but it started out with our connection to the Navy. Our earliest known U.S. serviceman is Navy Seaman Tafaega of Olosega Island, Manu’a. He was already serving before the turn of the century in the Spanish American War and then World War I. For the first half of the 1900s the Navy was a major part of American Samoa’s history, with a base using our exceptional harbor.
“The U.S. Navy is a powerful force for freedom in the world, securing peace and commerce throughout the oceans, with a great 250-year history, including the immense mission and importance of the Pacific theater of World War II.
“Thank you to the men and women in our Armed Forces, and enjoy this special celebration of the Navy and all our Sailors, past and present. These honors are much deserved. Our military families are so proud of our Toa o Samoa, but also miss them deeply, and will be thinking of them during these patriotic reminders from Philadelphia. God bless all our Sailors!”
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