National Maritime Day facts for kids
National Maritime Day is a special day in the United States. It happens every May 22. This day honors the brave people who have served in the United States Merchant Marine. These are the sailors and officers who transport goods and supplies by sea.
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National Maritime Day
What is National Maritime Day?
National Maritime Day is a time to remember the important work of the United States Merchant Marine. These are the ships and sailors that carry cargo all over the world. They bring us many things we use every day. They also help deliver supplies during times of war or disaster. It's a day to say thank you for their service.
How it Started
The very first National Maritime Day was on May 22, 1933. It was created by a special rule from the United States Congress. This rule is called a joint resolution. It was passed on May 20, 1933. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President at that time. He was the first President to make an official announcement, called a proclamation, about this day.
Important Celebrations
The biggest National Maritime Day celebration happened in 1946. This was the first celebration after the Allied Powers won World War II. Many governors of different U.S. states also officially named the day National Maritime Day. They sometimes called it Maritime Day for their state. The celebration in 1954 was also very big. This was after the end of the Korean War.
Helping Others
In 2006, President George W. Bush made a special mention. He talked about how the Merchant Marine helped people. They provided aid after Hurricane Katrina. This was a very strong hurricane. They also helped after other hurricanes in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. This shows how important their work is for everyone.
