Tuesday was National Maritime Day, noted annually by presidential proclamation. The date chosen celebrates the day in 1819 when the SS Savannah completed the first transatlantic crossing by a steam ship. The first Maritime Day was created by Congress in 1933 to honor the U.S. Merchant Marine, civilians who have defended the freedom of America since 1775. Their exploits include the largest sealift the world has even known during World War II. More than 2.2 billion tons of commerce arrive and leave the U.S. each year. Los Angeles handles more container cargo than any other port in the U.S. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.
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