UNITED STATES CELEBRATES TR'S BIRTHDAY & NAVY DAY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 27, 1924, The Evening Star reports "the purpose of the American Navy and its record" is today "being carried" across the Nation in "observance of the birthday of the late President (Theodore) Roosevelt and of 'Navy Day'*."
Programs have been arranged in 1200 localities by the Navy League of the United States. In the Nation's Capital, the Admiral David G. Farragut Monument** at 17th & I Streets was decorated by the Daughters of 1812.
*The Navy League suggested Oct 27th as Navy Day because it is the birthday of TR who was assistant Secretary of the Navy before becoming POTUS & because Oct 1775 is the anniversary of the founding of the USN.
**Admiral David G. Farragut Monument is located in Farragut Square, Washington, D.C. The monument, by Vinnie Ream, honors the Union hero of the Battle of Mobile Bay who shouted 'Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!'
JFK+50 NOTE
David Farragut was born in west Knox County, Tennessee. Today the area encompasses the town of Farragut. We had The Farragut Hotel in downtown Knoxville back in the day & we still have the Farragut High School Admirals.
While Tennessee seceeded in 1861, East Tennessee was predominantly pro-Union. Although Knoxville had a Union recruiting station on one side of Gay Street & a Confederate recruiting station on the other side, two-thirds of Knox County & two-thirds of East Tennessee supported the Union. Sullivan County was the only ET county to vote by majority for secession.
SOURCES
"1200 Cities Join Capital In Navy Day Observance," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 27, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"What Is Navy Day?," October 27, 2024, www.livenowfox.com/
