| Following congressional passage of an "Act to provide a Naval Armament" in March 1794, shipbuilder Joshua Humphreys set about designing six frigates that would form the backbone of the United States Navy fleet. Of those six, the USS Constitution has defied the odds to remain in service, making "America's Ship of State" the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Launched from Boston Harbor on October 21, 1797, the Constitution was soon deployed to the Caribbean to engage privateers during the Quasi War with France. A few years later, the 44-gun frigate was instrumental in a military campaign against the state-supported Barbary Pirates of North Africa, resulting in an 1805 treaty with Tripoli. But the Constitution truly proved its worth with an impressive showing against the mighty British navy in the War of 1812. One overwhelming victory over the HMS Guerriere, which seemed unable to dent the American frigate with its cannon fire, gave the ship its nickname: "Old Ironsides." A few months later, the Constitution took down the HMS Java despite having its wheel blown off in battle, requiring crew members to manually move the tiller for steering. These heroic stands were still in the minds of the American public as the Constitution was reported to be nearing the end of its service life in 1830, resulting in a national campaign to keep the beloved warship in active duty. After patrolling the African coast for slave vessels during the 1850s, Old Ironsides was primarily used as a training ship before being decommissioned in 1881. A grand centennial celebration in 1897 underscored its status as a national icon, and in 1931, the historic ship was recommissioned for Navy service. Now docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in its city of birth, the USS Constitution is temporarily grounded as it undergoes repairs to its masts, yet remains a venerable component of the powerful naval force it helped usher into existence more than 200 years ago. | 
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