National Maritime Day Proclamations 1969 to 1974 by President Richard M. Nixon honor American Merchant Marine

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1969

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1970

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1971

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1972

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1973

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1974

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1969 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

The American Merchant Marine must project the Nation's economic strength throughout the world in peacetime and give mobility to our national defense in times of emergency. Its vessels must enable us to compete effectively in international trade and to transport and supply our Armed Forces in defense of freedom.

Through the cooperation of business, labor, and Government, and with prudent use of advancing technology, the American Merchant Marine must become capable of providing modern, productive service to he Nation's commerce as an integral part of transportation.

A strong and profitable merchant fleet is vital to America's economic welfare and defense capability. The American flag on merchant vessels on the high seas and in foreign ports is a symbol of our Nation's dedication to peaceful trade throughout the world.

To remind Americans of the important role the Merchant Marine plays in our national life, the Congress in 1933 designated the anniversary of the first transatlantic voyage by a steamship, the SS Savannah, on May 22, 1819, as National Maritime Day, and requested the President to issue a proclamation annually in observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American Merchant Marine on May 22, 1969, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day in tribute to the American Merchant Marine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-third.

Richard M. Nixon

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1970 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

The restoration of our merchant fleet to a position of leadership on the world's oceans is one of our most urgent tasks. Our merchant ships are essential parts of our economic and defense systems, and reminders to us and to the world of our heritage as a sea-going people.

In recognition of the importance of our Merchant Marine to our economy and our national security, the Congress in 1933 set aside May 22 of each year as National Maritime Day and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for the observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American Merchant Marine on May 22, 1970, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day in tribute to the American Merchant Marine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-fourth.

Richard M. Nixon

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1971 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

A strong American merchant marine is essential to the Nation's economic prosperity and military security.

Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1970, the Nation's maritime industry can and must move forward with the task of rebuilding our merchant marine fleet, improving the competitive position of our ship building industry, and restoring the United States to its rightful proud position in the shipping lanes of the world.

All elements of the maritime industry should utilize the opportunity provided by that Act to develop an American merchant marine fully capable of providing the modern, efficient services which are indispensable both to our foreign commerce and to our security.

To remind Americans of the important role which the merchant marine plays in our national life, the Congress in 1933 designated the anniversary of the first transatlantic voyage by a steamship, the SS Savannah, on May 22, 1819, as National Maritime Day, and requested the President to issue a proclamation annually in observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American merchant marine on May 22, 1971, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-fifth.

Richard M. Nixon

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1972 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

The spirit of America has long been recognized in the speed of her ships and the skill of her sailors. Long ago, the French historian de Tocqueville told the story of meeting an American sailor on his 1831 visit to this country and asking him to explain why American ships seemed built to last but a short time. The sailor replied with no hesitation that the finest of vessels would become useless if it lasted beyond a few years because the art of navigation was making such rapid progress.

In the sailor's certainty that with tomorrow would arrive something new and better, de Tocqueville recognized the attitude upon which "a great people direct all their concerns." Over the years other nations have built upon the success of our example -- and they have built merchant fleets able to compete successfully with our own.

In America, the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 is once again awakening that venturesome spirit of maritime enterprise that has contributed so significantly to the strength and development of our Nation. Today we have a national commitment and program to revitalize our merchant marine and improve the competitive position of our shipbuilding industry.

This new program will generate the construction of many new ships, advanced in design and highly productive. It should help to ensure that the American merchant marine is once again one of the most modern and efficient in the world by the end of this decade.

It is important that all Americans realize the importance of our merchant marine to the Nation's economy and security. To promote such public awareness, each year since 1933, when the Congress designated the anniversary of the first transatlantic voyage by a steamship, the SS Savannah, on May 22, 1819, as National Maritime Day, successive Presidents have issued proclamations calling for public observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American merchant marine on May 22, 1972, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on
that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-sixth.

Richard M. Nixon

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1973 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

The first transatlantic voyage by a steamship was made by an American vessel, the "Savannah", on May 22, 1819, from its namesake port in Georgia to Liverpool, England. To commemorate that event, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved four decades ago, designated May 22 of each year as National Maritime Day, and requested the President to issue a proclamation annually calling for its observance.

In welcome contrast to those of the past twelve years, National Maritime Day, 1973, finds this Nation at peace. Our merchant marine, which so effectively served as the logistic lifeline to our Armed Forces and allies in Southeast Asia, can now concentrate its full attention on the movement of cargoes which link the United States and its trading partners in peaceful enterprise.

International trade is an important and constructive force in forging concord between nations, and we have assigned high priorities to the improvement and expansion of our trade relations with the rest of the world.

I am confident that the American merchant marine, which is being restructured and revitalized under the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 will contribute in large measure to the success of these endeavors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American merchant marine on May 22, 1973, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag observe "dress ship" procedures on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-seventh.

Richard M. Nixon

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1974 by President Richard M. Nixon of the United States of America

Since the beginning of our Nation, maritime enterprise has helped to forge the spirit of America and shape its destiny.

In our early years, our merchant marine was a major force in fostering our economic growth and defending our freedom. Down through the years, the American merchant marine continued to serve our economic aspirations and to assist our military forces in times of emergency.

Today, when the United States is the world leader in trade and military power, the dual roles of our merchant marine remain vital to the national interests.

Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1970, new generations of highly advanced and efficient ships are being introduced into our merchant fleet to reinforce America's presence in the world's shipping lanes and to insure that our maritime capacities remain equal to their challenges.

To promote public awareness of our maritime heritage, the Congress in 1933 (48 Stat. 73) designated the anniversary of the first transatlantic voyage by a steamship, the SAVANNAH, on May 22, 1819, as National Maritime Day, and requested the President to issue a proclamation annually in observance of that day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American merchant marine on May 22, 1974, by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-eighth.

Richard M. Nixon

Continue to: Maritime Day Proclamations by President Gerald Ford
Maritime Day Proclamations and Celebrations
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Maritime Day Proclamations from Statutes-At-Large of the United States of America 1969 to 1974

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