Freedom 250(@Freedom250):Today is the 229th anniversary of the launch of USS Constitution, the ship America calls Old Ironsides. On October 21, 1797, she slid into Boston Harbor as one of the first six ships of the United States Navy. In the War of 1812, British cannonballs bounced off her thick oak hull and sailors swore her sides were made of iron. The name stuck. She is still a commissioned U.S. Navy ship today, crewed by active-duty sailors, and the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.

Freedom 250

@Freedom250

Freedom 250 is a non-partisan organization delivering presidential-level celebrations for our nation’s 250th birthday.

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Freedom 250@Freedom250

2026.10.21 14:41

Today is the 229th anniversary of the launch of USS Constitution, the ship America calls Old Ironsides. On October 21, 1797, she slid into Boston Harbor as one of the first six ships of the United States Navy. In the War of 1812, British cannonballs bounced off her thick oak hull and sailors swore her sides were made of iron. The name stuck. She is still a commissioned U.S. Navy ship today, crewed by active-duty sailors, and the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.