National Maritime Day is on Saturday, May 22, 2027, and it falls on May 22 every year. It honors the U.S. Merchant Marine, the civilian mariners who crew the ships that carry the nation’s cargo in peace and war. It also marks a milestone in ocean travel from 1819.
When Is National Maritime Day?
It’s always May 22. It’s a national observance proclaimed each year by the President, not a federal holiday. Government offices and businesses stay open.
How Did National Maritime Day Start?
Congress passed a joint resolution on May 20, 1933. It declared that May 22 “shall hereafter be designated and known as National Maritime Day,” the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) notes.
The resolution asked the President to issue a proclamation each year. In 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt called on Americans to mark the day “by displaying the flag at their homes and other suitable places.”
Why May 22? The SS Savannah
On May 22, 1819, the SS Savannah left Savannah, Georgia, bound for Liverpool, England. It arrived 29 days and four hours later and became the first steamship to cross the Atlantic.
The ship carried both steam engines and sails. Historians estimate it was under sail about 80% of the time, but the voyage still proved steam power could cross an ocean. Roosevelt’s proclamation called it “the first successful transoceanic voyage under steam propulsion.”
What Is the Purpose of the Day?
To recognize the merchant mariners who keep American trade moving and support the armed forces in wartime.
The Merchant Marine in World War II
During World War II, merchant mariners carried troops, tanks, ammunition and supplies overseas. More than 6,000 American seafarers died, and more than 700 U.S. merchant ships were lost to enemy action, MARAD says.
Roughly 1 in 30 who served did not come home. Their casualty rate was higher than every branch of the armed forces except the Marines.
Many were very young or quite old. Teenagers and men in their seventies chose the work despite the danger.
Mariners were among the first to face combat, with ships attacked even before the U.S. formally entered the war. They were also among the last to come home, carrying service members back after the fighting ended.
How to Observe National Maritime Day
- Fly the flag: the 1933 resolution asks Americans to display the U.S. flag at their homes, and government buildings fly it too.
- Attend a ceremony: ports, maritime academies and MARAD hold events and memorial services.
- Visit a maritime museum: many port cities have historic ships you can tour.
- Remember the fallen: learn the story of a merchant ship lost in World War II.
- Thank a mariner: if you know someone who works at sea or on the docks, let them know their work matters.
- Explore careers: learn about maritime academies and jobs in shipping, ports and logistics.
- Follow your stuff: check where your clothes or electronics were made; most traveled by ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. Merchant Marine?
The civilian fleet of U.S.-flagged commercial ships and the mariners who crew them. In wartime, it carries military cargo and supplies.
Was the SS Savannah fully steam-powered?
No. It used both steam and sails, and was under sail for most of the crossing. It was still the first steamship to cross the Atlantic.
Do I need to fly the flag at half-staff?
The 1933 resolution asks Americans to fly the flag. Check the year’s presidential proclamation for any specific flag guidance.