Discover Constitution's History
A national icon for more than 200 years, Constitution has had a long and illustrious career. Explore her service from the beginning to the present day - and all of the adventures in between!
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Chronology
1794 March 27 - The Naval Armament Act authorizes the construction of six frigates ... -
The Captain's Clerk
Articles and essays on topics in Constitution’s history, representing over 30 years of research by a former commanding officer of “Old Ironsides.” -
Captains of Constitution
Captains of Constitution -
Crew
In the fall of 2005 the USS Constitution Museum received an Institute of Museum and Library Services Museums for America grant to fund research into the lives of Constitution's War of 1812 crew. -
USS Constitution Today
The American Revolution ended in 1783, and the new United States sent its merchant fleet afar to trade and rebuild its economy. However, in 1785, the Continental Navy of the Revolution was dissolved and US merchant vessels thereafter sailed unprotected. -
The Launch
Constitution was built on a slip laid for the purpose in Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, approximately at the eastern end of the present day Coast Guard Base. Her keel was laid in the summer of 1795, and in late August 1797, she was about ready to enter her element.