Charleston Reporter

The U.S. Navy turned 246 years old Oct. 13, marking another year of service on U.S. seas.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) tweeted Wednesday, sharing a photo in acknowledgment of the Navy’s celebration.

“Happy Birthday to the @USNavy!” Duncan wrote in his tweet. “Established during the American Revolution, our nation's outstanding naval force has defended our freedom and kept our seas open and free for 246 years. Thankful to those who served and those still serving.”

On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned two ships, each with 80 sailors, to intercept transports carrying supplies to the Great Britain enemy, according to a post by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

As the Revolutionary War ended in 1983, the Continental Navy had already grown to about 50 ships, the post states. Six years later, Congress was granted the ability to maintain a navy under the U.S. Constitution, ensuring the navy would remain in place for years to come.

According to CFR, while John F. Kennedy was the first navy veteran elected president, five of the next six presidents also served in the same branch. This includes Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush.