USS Constitution to set sail to commemorate anniversaries

In this July 24, 2017 file photo, the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File/U.S. Navy/1st Class Matt Chabe)

By Associated Press

October 16, 2017

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The USS Constitution is about to set sail for the first time in three years to celebrate the Navy's birthday and the anniversary of the Constitution's first launch.

The world's oldest commissioned warship will set sail from Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston on Oct. 20.

The wooden ship will travel to Fort Independence on Castle Island, where it will fire a 21-gun salute. An additional 17-gun salute will be fired as the ship passes the U.S. Coast Guard station. It’s the former site of the shipyard where the Constitution was built and launched in 1797.

It will be the warship's first sail since October 2014, and will commemorate the Navy's 242nd birthday and the 220th anniversary of the Constitution's launch.

The ship earned its nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812.

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CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION

What factors contribute to the significance of the USS Constitution setting sail this fall?

Write your answers in the comments section below

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COMMENTS (2)

BrianaM-del1

10/18/2017 - 05:11 p.m.

"the worlds oldest commissioned warship"and"the ship earned its nickname old ironsides during the war of 1812" those are some of the factors that contribute to the significance of the USS constitution setting sail the fall.

AdelineR-dec

1/19/2018 - 09:50 a.m.

They are setting sail because of the navy's birthday and the anniversery of the consttuitions first launch. I think this is extremly cool that they are doing this and that the will have the 21-gun salute anad the 17-gun salute while they go past.