American Victory Ship & Museum

10/14/2026

🍰🍪 HAPPY NATIONAL DESSERT DAY! 🍫🍭
A Sweet Treat with a WWII Connection!⚓

Today, October 14, we celebrate National Dessert Day! 🎉

But have you ever wondered where the word dessert comes from?

The word comes from the French desservir, meaning “to clear the table.” Over thousands of years, desserts have evolved from simple combinations of honey, nuts, and fruit into the cakes, cookies, pies, chocolates, and other sweet treats we enjoy today. 🍯🍎🍫

And today, we're taking a look at a dessert with a special connection to World War II history:

🍚 RICE KRISPIES TREATS! 🍚

Did you know that the original Rice Krispies Treat was created in 1939, just before the United States entered World War II?

Kellogg's home economists Mildred Day and Malitta Jensen developed the recipe for a Camp Fire Girls fundraiser. The simple combination of puffed rice cereal, melted marshmallows, and butter created a treat that was easy to make and it soon became a household favorite.

THEN CAME THE WAR...

During World War II, families on the American home front faced rationing and shortages of many everyday ingredients. Rice Krispies Treats were particularly appealing because they didn't require ingredients such as flour and eggs, making them a practical sweet treat during wartime.

📦 And their story didn't stop in the kitchen!

Rice Krispies Treats could also be packed into care packages and sent to loved ones serving overseas, giving service members a little taste of home while they were far away. ❤️

By 1941, Kellogg's was printing the recipe on Rice Krispies cereal boxes, helping turn this simple recipe into an American classic.

So, this National Dessert Day, as you enjoy your favorite sweet treat, remember that even something as simple as a Rice Krispies Treat can have a connection to the history of America's home front during World War II!

🍚 Snap!
🍚 Crackle!
🍚 Pop!

And a little bit of history! ⚓

Happy National Dessert Day from the SS American Victory, Florida's Official Flagship! ⚓🌴

10/13/2026

⚾️💙 LET’S GO, RAYS! 💙⚾️

The SS American Victory, Florida’s Official Flagship, is cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays as they head into Game 2! 🎉

We’re rooting for you all the way to VICTORY! ⚓️🏆

GO RAYS! 💙⚾️

10/13/2026

⚓HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES NAVY from Florida’s Official Flagship⚓

Today, October 13, we celebrate the birthday of the United States Navy, marking the day in 1775 when the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy during the American Revolution.

🚢 A Navy Is Born
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to outfit a swift sailing vessel with 10 carriage guns and 80 men for a three-month cruise. This marked the beginning of what would become one of the world’s most powerful naval forces.

⚓ A Tradition Continues
Although the U.S. Navy traces its origins to 1775, October 13 was officially recognized as the Navy’s birthday in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, honoring the Navy’s heritage and professionalism.

From 1775 to today, generations of sailors have answered the call to defend our nation and protect the freedom of the seas.

The American Victory Ship & Museum proudly honors the sailors who have served, and continue to serve, our nation at sea.

10/12/2026

🍫🎉 TOMORROW IS INTERNATIONAL M&M’S DAY! 🎉🍫

What better way to celebrate than with a little WWII history, chocolate, and a hidden treasure hunt aboard the American Victory, Official Flagship of Florida! ⚓

You might not think of candy when you think about World War II, but one of America’s favorite chocolate treats actually has its roots in wartime! 🎖️🍫

INSPIRED BY THE BATTLEFIELD
The story goes that Forrest Mars Sr. saw soldiers during the Spanish Civil War eating chocolate pellets coated in a hard sugar shell. The coating kept the chocolate from melting in the heat and the idea stuck!

🤝 A SWEET PARTNERSHIP
Mars teamed up with Bruce Murrie, the son of the president of Hershey’s. Their partnership helped secure a reliable supply of chocolate during wartime rationing.

And that's where the name M&M’S comes from: Mars + Murrie! 🍫

🎖️ MADE FOR THE MILITARY
M&M’S were patented on March 3, 1941, and initially sold exclusively to the U.S. military in cardboard tubes.

Their hard candy shell made them especially useful for troops serving in hot climates. Instead of melting into a chocolate puddle, they could withstand the heat of places like the Pacific Theater, making them a welcome treat and morale booster in soldiers’ rations.

FROM RATIONS TO THE PUBLIC
After World War II ended, M&M’S were introduced to the general public in 1947, and the little chocolates quickly became a huge commercial success.

🍫🔎 NOW FOR THE FUN PART!

Think you can spot one? 👀

We’ve hidden M&M bags somewhere aboard the American Victory! If you find it during your visit tomorrow 10/13/26, you keep it! 🎉🍫

So keep your eyes peeled as you explore the ship, you never know where that little chocolate might be hiding! ⚓️🔍

Come aboard, explore history, and see if you can find the hidden M&M bags!

10/10/2026

October Headlines!

10/08/2026

🐙⚓ HAPPY WORLD OCTOPUS DAY FROM THE AMERICAN VICTORY, OFFICIAL FLAGSHIP OF FLORIDA! ⚓🐙

Did you know that even the octopus has a place in military history? 🌊

These fascinating eight-armed creatures have inspired more than just marine enthusiasts!

🐙 Operation Octopus
During World War II, the Allies used the codename Operation Octopus for a proposed amphibious operation in 1944 aimed at securing the Sunda Strait region in the Pacific.

✈️ Octopuses Take Flight!
Some U.S. military aviation units also used octopus imagery on their aircraft. The octopus, with its many arms and remarkable reach, made a memorable symbol for observation and multitasking.

From the depths of the ocean to the pages of military history, the octopus has certainly made its mark!

🐙 Happy World Octopus Day! What's your favorite fact about these incredible ocean creatures?

10/08/2026

Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays, and good luck! ⚾️👏

NEXT STOP: ALCS

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10/05/2026

📚⚓ HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY! ⚓📚

Today, we celebrate the incredible teachers who inspire curiosity, encourage questions, and help shape the next generation.

Here aboard the SS American Victory, we know that history isn't just something you read in a textbook; it’s something you can experience.

When students step aboard our ship, they aren't simply learning about World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. They can walk the decks, explore the cargo holds, see where Merchant Mariners lived and worked, and begin to imagine what life was like for the men and women who served aboard ships like the American Victory.

📖 A textbook can tell you about history.
⚓ A historic ship can help bring it to life.
👩‍🏫 And a great teacher can inspire a student to care about it.

Every teacher who brings their students aboard helps us continue our mission of preserving history and sharing these stories with future generations.

So today, we want to say:

❤️ Thank you to every teacher!

Thank you for your dedication.
Thank you for inspiring your students.
Thank you for keeping history alive.
And thank you for choosing the SS American Victory, the Official Flagship of Florida as your classroom!

10/03/2026

⚡🏒 GOOD LUCK, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING! ⚡🏒

The American Victory Ship, the Official Flagship of Florida, is cheering you on! ⚓️

Bring home the W, Bolts! Let’s show them how we do it in Tampa Bay! 💪⚡🔥

GO BOLTS!! ⚡🏒💙