April 11 – National Submarine Day

In celebration of National Submarine Day on April 11, let us take a look at the fascinating and often misunderstood history of these amazing machines. Submarines have been around in some form since the 1620s, when the first “submersible” was invented in England. These early submarines were not very practical and were used more as a novelty than anything else. It wasn’t until the 1800s that submarines began to be used for military purposes.

The first military submarine was the CSS Hunley, which was used by the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. The Hunley sank the USS Housatonic in 1864, but it also sank itself shortly afterward. The Hunley was lost for over 130 years before it was finally discovered and raised in 2000.

Submarines have come a long way since the Hunley, and they are now one of the most important weapons in a navy’s arsenal. Modern submarines are very stealthy and can stay underwater for months at a time. They can also launch missiles and torpedoes and are used for intelligence gathering.

So on this National Submarine Day, let us all take a moment to appreciate the history and legacy of the submarine. Let us also remember the brave men and women who have served our country underwater, often in treacherous and dangerous conditions. We owe them a great debt of gratitude, and we honor their memory today.