7 stirring images of the birthday cruise the US Navy just threw for its 222-year-old warship

The Constitution earned its nickname, "Old Ironsides," during the War of 1812, when enemy fire couldnt't penetrate its hull.
The Constitution still has a full crew and is the US's Ship of State , hosting visiting dignitaries and acting as a site to sign important legislation regarding the military.
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A 222nd birthday is quite a milestone, and the USS Constitution celebrated in style on Friday. A cruise through Boston Harbor showed off Old Ironsides, the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy, according to the National Parks Service.

Although the ship isn't engaged in warfighting anymore, it hosts visitors as an historic site, along with the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Read on to learn more about the USS Constitution's history.

The Constitution started construction in 1794, and first set sail October 21, 1797.

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Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alec Kramer / US Navy / DVIDS

She was built in Boston as one of the US Navy's first six warfighting ships after the United States gained independence. The Constitution was first engaged during a dispute between the US and France called the Quasi-War, which took place between 1798 and 1800, according to the US Historian .

It wasn't until the War of 1812 that she earned her nickname.

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Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alec Krame / US Navy / DVIDS

The War of 1812 involved the US in a trade dispute between Britain and France, which later spiraled into a conflict over national sovereignty, territorial control, and westward expansion by the US.

But during the conflict, the Constitution's hull was apparently so strong like iron that enemy fire couldn't penetrate, earning the nickname "Old Ironsides."

The Constitution still has a full crew, which maintains the ship.

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Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey Scoular / US Navy / DVIDS

The ship maintains an active-duty commander and crew, who keep the vessel and its gear ship-shape and give tours to members of the public.

Source: US Navy

The Constitution attempted to launch into Boston Harbor twice and failed before it succeeded on October 21, 1797.

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Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey Scoular / US Navy / DVIDS

Source: USS Constitution Museum

After her lengthy service and legendary survivability in the War of 1812, rumors began to circulate in the 1830s that Old Ironsides would be retired.

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Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey Scoular / US Navy / DVIDS

Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the poem" Old Ironsides " to stir public sentiment to save her, according to the USS Constitution Museum . She remained in service until 1853, and was converted into a naval school ship between 1857 and 1860.