Old Ironsides fires a 21-gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
The majestic USS Constitution set sail for its annual turnaround in Boston Harbor on the Fourth of July, along with a 21-gun salute at Castle Island.
Old Ironsides goes underway in Boston Harbor at various times each year, including on July 4 as she celebrated the United States’ 248th birthday on Thursday.
The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. She played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.
Old Ironsides fires a 21 gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Old Ironsides fires a 21-gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
The 1st Battalion of the 101’s field artillery responds to the 21 gun salute from Old Ironsides, with their own 21 gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
The 1st Battalion of the 101’s field artillery responds to the 21 gun salute from Old Ironsides, with their own 21 gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
A dad protects his daughter's ears from the 21-gun salute. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Spectators film and protect their ears from the 21 gun salutes as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Old Ironsides fires a 21 gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Children protect their ears from the sound of the 21 gun salutes as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Old Ironsides fires a 21-gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Fans gather by the hundreds as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Fans gather by the hundreds as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Old Ironsides moves into position for a 21 gun salute as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
BBQ and snacks were on the menu as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Old Ironsides comes into view as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Red, White and Blue were the colors of the day for spectators. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Red, White and Blue are the colors of the day for spectators as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
3 year old Camden Halley , of Maynard, enjoys playing with the 105’s under the watchful eye of Specialist Jordan Nunezperez as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Flags are given out by the DCR as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Spectators look into the distance for Old Ironsides as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Red, White and Blue are the colors of the day for spectators as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Ships of all types were out on parade as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
Throngs of people head out to Castle Island as the USS Constitution turns around at Castle Island for the 4th of July Celebration on July 4. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
