February 22 1909 – The Great White Fleet Returns from a Journey Around the World

February 22 1909 – The Great White Fleet Returns from a Journey Around the WorldRate this post In the early years of the 20th century, Teddy Roosevelt, the President of the United States and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, sought to raise the military profile of his nation. Near the end of his time in office, he had an idea: send US ships out on a worldwide expedition. Following 14-months at sea with stops on every continent but Antarctica, the Great White Fleet — so named for its trademark “peacetime white” paint scheme — arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia on February 22, 1909. A little more than ten years […]