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Newport News, Virginia

Located in Independent City, Virginia, Newport News was founded in 1621. Newport News Shipbuilding is the only yard in the Western Hemisphere that builds nuclear carriers. Every U.S. Navy carrier was built or refueled here.
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Founded 1621 | Population 181,558 | Peak 181,558 (2024) | County Independent City

Top 10 Most Important Events for Newport News, Virginia

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1862Battle of Hampton Roads: CSS Virginia and USS Monitor fight history's first ironclad naval battle nearby.
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1886Huntington Founds Shipyard: Collis Huntington establishes Newport News Shipbuilding, world's largest private shipyard.
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1907Great White Fleet Departs: Roosevelt sends 16 battleships from Hampton Roads on world voyage.
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1958USS Enterprise Launched: World's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier launched here.
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2017USS Gerald R. Ford Commissioned: First Ford-class carrier commissioned; most advanced warship ever at $13 billion.
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Complete Historical Timeline

1862 Disaster
Battle of Hampton Roads
1886 Industry
Huntington Founds Shipyard
1907 Government
Great White Fleet Departs
1958 Engineering
USS Enterprise Launched
2017 Engineering
USS Gerald R. Ford Commissioned

Did You Know?

1
Newport News Shipbuilding is the only yard in the Western Hemisphere that builds nuclear carriers.
2
Every U.S. Navy carrier was built or refueled here.
3
The Mariners' Museum houses artifacts from the USS Monitor.
4
Newport News is located in Independent City, Virginia.
5
Newport News was founded in 1621.

Famous People from Newport News, Virginia

EF
Ella Fitzgerald
Composer, Conductor · Born Apr 25, 1917 · Died Jun 15, 1996 (age 79)
WS
William Styron
Writer, Military Personnel · Born Jun 11, 1925 · Died Nov 1, 2006 (age 81)
PB
Pearl Bailey
Actor, Writer · Born Mar 29, 1918 · Died Aug 17, 1990 (age 72)
GD
Gabby Douglas
Artistic Gymnast, Autobiographer · Born Dec 31, 1995 · Age 30
FF
Frankie Faison
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Jun 10, 1949 · Age 76
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