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"Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. Naval Academy at 175

1845–2020

 

<p>Line drawing of the coat of arms, or seal, of the United States Naval Academy. The motto reads &quot;Ex scientia tridens&quot; - &quot;From knowledge, seapower.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div style="left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 9000px; height: 16px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute;"><div>&nbsp;</div></div>

The coat of arms, or seal, of the United States Naval Academy. It consists of a hand grasping a trident, a shield bearing an ancient galley ship coming into action, an open book (representing education), and a banner with the motto "Ex scientia tridens," meaning "From knowledge, seapower." Designed by Park Benjamin, Naval Academy Class of 1867, the seal was adopted by the Navy Department on 25 January 1899 (USNA).

 

Overview

"From knowledge, seapower": On 10 October 1845, the United States Naval Academy was formally opened at Annapolis, Maryland. Naval History and Heritage Command has assembled collections of imagery, artifacts, art, and numerous other resources that commemorate the academy's often-colorful history. The Naval Academy has weathered the storms, rocks, and shoals of the United States' evolution as a nation and society, and has graduated scores of dedicated sea services officers who have made their marks in U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps annals—and in the history of our nation.

"The United States Naval Academy, 1845-2020" provides an extensive review of the first 175 years of the academy's existence: its origins and mission, its institutional and professional challenges, the evolution of its curriculum, its changing physical appearance, the growth of unique traditions, and its lifeblood—its midshipmen.

 
 
 

<p>Photo #: NH 43097 U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland</p>

Eight members of the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 1861 (NH 43097).

Essays, Blogs, and Podcasts

"Savage Coating: NHHC Conservators Team with USNA to Solve a Mystery"

  • Wesley A. Brown, the first African American graduation of the U.S. Naval Academy
  • Georgia Clark Sadler, first female officer to serve as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy
  • "Preble Hall": Podcast by the U.S. Naval Academy Museum featuring a broad swath of topics from academy, U.S. Navy, and maritime history.


    • Graduation exercises at the US Navy Academy, Annapolis, MD - June 4, 1931. CAPT Lowell W. Williams Collection.

    Graduation of the Class of 1931, 4 June 1931 (UA 571.109)

    Imagery

    • Explore imagery of the U.S. Naval Academy from the 1860s through 1970s from NHHC's photo archive.

    Artifacts and Art

    View artifacts and art from the NHHC Headquarters Collections that span the U.S. Naval Academy's first 175 years.

     
     

    <p>L39-10.07.01 United States Naval Academy</p>

    At the beginning of 1976 Plebe Summer, midshipmen of the Class of 1980 listen to instructions as they are assigned to battalions. This was the first year that the Naval Academy admitted female midshipmen (L39-10.07.01).

    Other Resources

    • Army–Navy football: View scores of this iconic competition from the first game—and Navy victory—in 1890 (at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York) through today.
     
     
     

    <p>The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly over Bancroft Hall as midshipmen sing the alma mater, &quot;Navy Blue and Gold,&quot; during the fifth swearing-in event for the United States Naval Academy Class of 2020. &nbsp;</p><div style="left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 9000px; height: 16px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute;"><div>&nbsp;</div></div>

    The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly over Bancroft Hall as midshipmen sing the alma mater, "Navy Blue and Gold," during the fifth swearing-in event for the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Class of 2020 graduated approximately 1,000 midshipmen during five swearing-in events and one virtual ceremony (200520-N-BD231-0917/U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey).

     
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    Published: Fri Feb 10 16:02:31 EST 2023