Submarine Day

Submarine Day is an annual American holiday commemorating the creation of the submarine. The development of this class of ships allowed the Navy to move to a radically new level. Submarines have one big advantage: they are stealthy. You will need special radars to detect them, while a ship can be seen simply with binoculars or more powerful optical devices. The holiday is on March 17.

History

The story of Submarine Day begins with a significant event in the military industry. Thanks to the efforts of John Philip Holland, on March 17, 1898, a government-ordered submarine was designed and immediately accepted into the U.S. Navy. The engineer believed that through the development of this sailing machine, Ireland would stand a better chance of winning against the British in the forthcoming War of Independence.

Development began in 1870 when Holland began sketching. Detailed drawings were developed with all the necessary dimensions. Nine years later, investors from Ireland got involved in the creation of the project. The first working specimen of a boat capable of participating in combat (i.e., armed and equipped with armor plates) was tested in 1881. From that moment on, the active development of submersibles began; they were constantly being refined, and their characteristics improved.

Interesting facts

• The submarine of 1881 was named the Fenian Ram. The vessel was 30.84 feet long.
• From the beginning of the 20th century, submarines began to be ordered by various countries. Among them are the U.S., Russia, and several other influential European states.
• During WWII, the military censored meteorological forecasts. Information about fog was especially hidden since it was in such weather that submarines could make stealthy and lightning attacks. Hiding the data was necessary so that the enemy could not guess about the possible attack and was not prepared.

How to celebrate

On Submarine Day, learn more about the use of submarines during military conflicts. Discover what models gained the most popularity, what were the most notable military battles involving submarines, and other related topics. You can visit a military museum that day.

Spread the word on social media. Ask other users what they know about submarines.

When is Submarine Day in 2025?

Submarine Day is observed on March 17 each year.

Observations