The Navy deployed the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine — the USS Nautilus.
Japanese forces sent 353 aircraft to launch a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This led directly to America's involvement in World War II.
Three ships were commissioned and pressed into service. These were the USS Constitution, the USS United States and the USS Constellation.
Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794 — establishing a permanent standing navy.