• Black and white grainy image of people standing by a steel structure
    Download Image

    The USS Langley was officially commissioned as the US Navy’s first aircraft carriers on March 20, 1922.  The new ship attracted numerous visitors during its early months, including US President Warren G. Harding (far left, in light topcoat) who took the opportunity to ride the ships large aircraft elevators while the USS Langley was at anchor in the Potomac River off Washington, D.C, probably on Monday, June 11, 1922.  (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM 00161547)

  • Black and white grainy image of people standing by a steel structure

Rights Usage:

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use