Maritime Day is a reminder: Strong ports mean a strong America

By Sang Yi
Published May 22, 2026 6:00am ET



More than 200 years ago, an American ship, the SS Savannah, departed the beautiful port city of Savannah, Georgia, for England as the first vessel under steam propulsion to cross the Atlantic. In recognition of the historic voyage and 114 years later, Congress proclaimed May 22 as Maritime Day.

A lot has changed since the Savannah’s transoceanic voyage.

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