Naval History and Heritage Command

During the War of 1812, the frigate Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, departs Delaware capes on a cruise into the Pacific Ocean around Cape Horn for attacks on the British whaling industry.

Lt. William B. Cushing takes the torpedo boat Picket Boat No. 1 upriver to Plymouth, N.C. and attacks CSS Albemarle at her berth, sinking her with a spar torpedo.

The Navy League of the United States sponsors the first celebration of Navy Day to focus public attention on the importance of the U.S. Navy. The date is selected because it is Theodore Roosevelts birthday. Navy Day is last observed Oct. 27, 1949. In the 1970s, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt works with the Navy League to define Oct. 13 to celebrate the Navy.

Aircraft from USS Essex (CV 9) sink the Japanese destroyer Fujinami while aircraft from USS Enterprise (CV 6) sink the Japanese destroyer Shiranui 80 miles north of Iloilo, Panay..

Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42) is commissioned at New York Naval Shipyard, NY, with Capt. Apollo Soucek in command. The event marks the first exception to the traditional naming of fleet carriers for battles or famous ships.

As increased fighting among rival Lebanese political factions lead to U.S. concerns for Americans within the country, the State Department advises Americans to evacuate their dependents from Lebanon. The Sixth Fleet dispatches amphibious assault ship Inchon (LPH 12) as contingency evacuation ship, supported by USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).