Have a Holiday Idea? Submit and Get It Voted In!
Submit & Vote
.svg)
Celebrate National Maritime Day - explore the wonders of the oceans and join us in honoring those who keep our maritime industry running strong!
Celebrate National Maritime Day on May 22 by honoring the rich history and traditions of sailing, fishing, and commerce on the open sea! This special day was created in 1933 to recognize the role that ships have played throughout history in connecting people around the world. From ancient explorers who first sailed across vast oceans to modern-day cargo vessels bringing goods from one continent to another, our maritime heritage is something worth celebrating.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1450</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Age of Exploration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Age of Exploration initiates with mariners like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, leading to worldwide sea navigation and maritime trade.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1819</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SS Savannah's Journey</div><div class='timeline-text'>The SS Savannah becomes the first American steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, a key milestone in maritime technology advancement.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1914</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Panama Canal Opens</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Panama Canal opens, drastically shortening the time for ships to cross between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1933</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Maritime Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Maritime Day was established by Congress in 1933 to honor U.S. merchant marines and the maritime industry.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1956</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Containerization Revolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>The era of containerization begins with the SS Ideal X, transforming the shipping industry and global trade.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2022</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Present-Day Importance</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, over 90% of world trade is carried by sea, emphasizing the continuing significance of maritime industry.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Explore a maritime museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to your local maritime museum and find out more about the history of the sea, its vessels, and the people who have explored it. Learn about all sorts of ships, from ancient vessels to modern day ocean liners.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a boat ride</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Pack your lunch and head to your local marina for a boat ride. Whether you take a chartered fishing boat or a tour boat, it is sure to be an adventure you won't forget.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a harbor</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head to your nearest harbor and explore the many boats in it. See what kind of vessels are docked and learn about their purpose. You can also go for a walk or bike ride along the waterfront.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go sailing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have access to a sailboat, grab some friends and head out for the day. Spend some time learning how to sail or just relax in the sun while taking in the views.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find out if your local area hosts an annual Maritime Day festival, where you can enjoy music, art, food, activities, and more that are focused around water travel and exploration.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Maritime Day celebrates the importance of water transportation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Maritime Day is a day to pay homage to the importance of water transportation and the impact it has had on our economy, culture, and history. From travelling merchants in the Middle Ages, to modern cargo ships that help bring essential goods around the world, it's worth recognizing the role maritime trade has played in our lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates seafarers & their hard work</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On National Maritime Day, we celebrate the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to making sure our ships and cargo safely reach their destination. Whether they're navigating dangerous seas or piloting enormous vessels, these seafarers are always putting their own safety on the line for our benefit.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes protection of our oceans</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Marking National Maritime Day highlights the need to protect our natural resources and strive toward a more sustainable approach when dealing with marine issues. Without healthy oceans, our way of life would be drastically impacted - so every effort made towards preserving them is important!</p></div></div>
National Maritime Day is celebrated on May 22nd every year. In 2024 National Maritime Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
May 22
Monday
2024
May 22
Wednesday
2025
May 22
Thursday
2026
May 22
Friday
2027
May 22
Saturday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
