NStar Articles

“Go Navy!” The battle cry rings out each week when the midshipmen take the field. Since 1878 the U.S. Naval Academy has fought on the gridiron with the cheers of passionate fans in their ears. Everything about USNA football is packed with excitement, from the parade pouring into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, to the bustling tailgates set up just outside, to Navy Spirit’s high flying tricks, to the roar of the crowd as the midshipmen take the field. “Anchors Aweigh” gives you goosebumps as you look over a sea of crisp uniforms. It’s an experience not to be missed. Check out our Go-To Guide for Navy Football for the details.

Once upon a time, midshipmen took a so-called “core curriculum” that led to every graduating midshipman earning a Bachelor of Science of degree. The school was founded in 1845, and the majors program started in 1969, when it required the Class of 1972 to complete a major in order to graduate. Qualifying midshipmen in the 1969 graduating class that year received the first designated engineering degrees, which were aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, naval engineering and systems engineering.  

What’s approximately 13 pounds, black and white (and every color) all over and full of Naval Academy treasures? Why the “Lucky Bag” of course, the U.S. Naval Academy’s long standing yearbook! According to the publisher’s Facebook page, it’s the “largest yearbook in the world.” Started in 1894, it now counts 129 huge volumes. To think that it was started by a small band of five merry midshipmen sailing the seas on a summer cruise is incredible. They were reciting poetry and decided that they should  "publish a little volume into which bursts of genius might be gathered,” according to the current Lucky Baggers.