US Naval Academy

Founded in 1845, the US Naval Academy educates future naval and marine officers. The 4,000 students (or midshipmen, as they’re known) stride around town conspicuously in their white uniforms. The academy is open to the public. Picture identification is required to enter the campus for anyone over 16.

Visitors may observe the noon formation of midshipmen held Monday to Friday, weather permitting, during the academic year.

Guided tours are available at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center (52 King George Street, 1-410 293 8687). The visitor center also has naval and astronautical memorabilia, such as the Freedom 7 space capsule and an exhibit on John Paul Jones. Jones is America’s pre-eminent naval hero from the Revolutionary War, best known for the words he uttered on 23 September 1779. As Jones fought the HMS Serapis on the North Sea off Flamborough Head, his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, came under fire and began to sink. When the opposing captain called for Jones to surrender, he allegedly responded, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones then proceeded to board the Serapis and captured it. In 1792, Jones died in Paris. But in 1905, his remains were unearthed, and he was reburied in a crypt in the basement of the Naval Academy’s chapel. Today, the crypt is surrounded by artifacts from Jones’s life, such as the gold medal Congress awarded him in 1787.