Join the Discussion! A Live Virtual Series with the Museum.
Tune in to the Museum’s YouTube channel for a new virtual series that delves deeper into the pivotal moments that shaped USS Constitution‘s legacy. Inspired by our visitor’s frequently asked questions, Sailing Through History reveals new perspectives on the ship’s battles, voyages, and crews. Discover why Constitution continues to capture the imagination—one story at a time. Free.
All events will be live streamed on the Museum’s YouTube Channel. No registration required.
Upcoming Livestreams:
An American Navy: How the Marines Shaped Naval Identity
Join us for a discussion with guest scholar Dr. Heather Venable to find out how the few became the proud! During the War of 1812, Marines aboard ships like USS Constitution were the odd men out, not quite part of the crew but living aboard with sailors for months at a time, with a specific duty to maintain order between officers and sailors. They relied entirely on the Navy for their work and had a high rate of desertion, without any trace of the intense pride and group identity that today’s Marines share.
Dr. Heather Venable and the Museum’s public historian Carl Herzog discuss the realities of life for Marines aboard early 19th century ships like USS Constitution, how the branch was intentionally reformed between the 19th century and World War II, and how those changes produced the Marine Corps as we know it.
Date: January 22, 2026
Time: 12:30 – 1:00 PM ET
Featuring:
Previous Livestreams Available to View on YouTube:
The Navy Before the Navy
The American colonies fielded the wartime Continental Navy in 1775 but let it fade after independence. By the late 1790s, new problems and strategies at sea led to the first six frigates and a permanent United States Navy. Join USSCM public historian Carl Herzog with special guests Dr. Robert J. Allison and Dr. Benjamin “BJ” Armstrong, Captain, USN, to explore the beginnings of the Navy’s 250-year history.
Streamed live on November 20, 2025. View on YouTube.
USS Constitution’s Journey Around the World: A New Nation Lands on a Global Stage
Travel with us as we recount the ship’s historic circumnavigation of the globe, symbolizing the growing prominence of the United States as a global power.
Streamed live on March 12, 2025. View on YouTube.
Strong Ship Maneuvers: How USS Constitution Worked Wind to Strategic Gain in Battle
Explore the naval tactics that made USS Constitution a formidable force in battle, focusing on how the ship used wind and sail to outmaneuver its enemies.
Streamed live on April 2, 2025. View on YouTube.
