(KGTV) - Friday, the United States Navy will celebrate its 242nd birthday.

On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the first American naval force as a small fleet to attack British commerce and offset English forces.

The fleets started as a group of small frigates, brigs, sloops, and schooners (say that three times fast), of course, evolving to the massive force we have today. The service includes more than 340,000 personnel on active duty and more than 71,000 in the Navy Reserve.

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John F. Kennedy was quoted as once saying, "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'"

Friday, citizens are asked to help honor our Naval service members on social media using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayNavy to post photos, well wishes, memories, and other celebratory remarks.