7 stirring images of the birthday cruise the US Navy just threw for its 222-year-old warship

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7 stirring images of the birthday cruise the US Navy just threw for its 222-year-old warship

USS Constitution 222

Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alec Krame / US Navy / DVIDS

USS Constitution is tugged through the Boston harbor during Constitution's birthday cruise.

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  • The USS Constitution celebrated its 222nd birthday on October 18, 2019, with a cruise around the Boston Harbor. The ship forst set sail on October 21, 1797, after two failed attempts.
  • The Constitution earned its nickname, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812, when enemy fire couldnt't penetrate its hull.
  • The Constitution still has a full crew and is the US's Ship of State, hosting visiting dignitaries and acting as a site to sign important legislation regarding the military.
  • Visit Business Insider's home page for more stories.

A 222nd birthday is quite a milestone, and the USS Constitution celebrated in style on Friday. A cruise through Boston Harbor showed off Old Ironsides, the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy, according to the National Parks Service.

Although the ship isn't engaged in warfighting anymore, it hosts visitors as an historic site, along with the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Read on to learn more about the USS Constitution's history.

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The Constitution started construction in 1794, and first set sail October 21, 1797.

The Constitution started construction in 1794, and first set sail October 21, 1797.

She was built in Boston as one of the US Navy's first six warfighting ships after the United States gained independence. The Constitution was first engaged during a dispute between the US and France called the Quasi-War, which took place between 1798 and 1800, according to the US Historian.

It wasn't until the War of 1812 that she earned her nickname.

It wasn't until the War of 1812 that she earned her nickname.

The War of 1812 involved the US in a trade dispute between Britain and France, which later spiraled into a conflict over national sovereignty, territorial control, and westward expansion by the US.

But during the conflict, the Constitution's hull was apparently so strong — like iron — that enemy fire couldn't penetrate, earning the nickname "Old Ironsides."

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The Constitution still has a full crew, which maintains the ship.

The Constitution still has a full crew, which maintains the ship.

The ship maintains an active-duty commander and crew, who keep the vessel and its gear ship-shape and give tours to members of the public.

Source: US Navy

The Constitution attempted to launch into Boston Harbor twice — and failed — before it succeeded on October 21, 1797.

The Constitution attempted to launch into Boston Harbor twice — and failed — before it succeeded on October 21, 1797.

Source: USS Constitution Museum

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After her lengthy service and legendary survivability in the War of 1812, rumors began to circulate in the 1830s that Old Ironsides would be retired.

After her lengthy service and legendary survivability in the War of 1812, rumors began to circulate in the 1830s that Old Ironsides would be retired.

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the poem"Old Ironsides" to stir public sentiment to save her, according to the USS Constitution Museum. She remained in service until 1853, and was converted into a naval school ship between 1857 and 1860.

In 1925, US school children raised $154,000 to restore the Constitution.

In 1925, US school children raised $154,000 to restore the Constitution.

Source: USS Constitution Museum

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She was designated the US's Ship of State in 2010 by former President Barack Obama.

She was designated the US's Ship of State in 2010 by former President Barack Obama.

Source: USS Constitution Museum

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