Celebrate USS Midway's 80th Birthday!
Join us this September as the USS Midway Museum proudly celebrates USS Midway's 80th anniversary!
Commissioned in 1945, the legendary USS Midway (CV-41) has served as a symbol of American strength, innovation, education and service for eight decades. Experience the history, explore the stories of those who served aboard, and be part of this milestone celebration with special events, exhibits, and offers all month long.
Click the image to the right to watch Midway's 80th anniversary video.
Celebrate Midway’s 80th with Free Admission for Our 80+ Guests!
In honor of the USS Midway’s 80th birthday, we’re welcoming our most seasoned visitors with free admission all September long!
If you’re 80 years young or older, enjoy complimentary same-day admission to the museum. Simply present your valid photo ID at our ticket booth to receive your ticket (offer not valid online).
Offer valid: September 1–30, 2025
Who qualifies: Guests 80 years of age or older (valid photo ID required)
Follow 80th Celebrations on Social Media!
From Midway’s 1945 Trivia Thursdays to rare historical photos and special highlights, our social channels will be filled with anniversary content you won’t want to miss, all September long!
Be part of the celebration with Midway Memory Mondays! Share your favorite photo(s) from your visit aboard the USS Midway Museum using #Midway80 for a chance to win a limited-edition Midway 80th Anniversary commemorative coin!
Meet Midway’s Lovable Mascot, Middie!
Throughout September, USS Midway Museum's sailor mascot, Middie, will make special appearances, and kids who say the magic phrase 'Happy Birthday, Midway!' will receive a commemorative sticker (while supplies last).
Introducing “Little Skippers” Chocolate Chip Cookies!
In honor of the USS Midway’s 80th Anniversary, we’re serving up a sweet piece of history. Baked from an original shipboard recipe, our “Little Skippers” chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat for sailors young and old.
- 6 cookies for $6 (1 oz each), bundled with twine just like the good old days.
- Available September 13–16 only
- Sold exclusively at Jet Express and Café 41 inside the museum.
Come celebrate 80 years of Midway with a taste of tradition — because every skipper deserves a cookie!
USS Midway 80th Birthday & 4th Annual Multi-Cultural Celebration
September 6th
On September 6, 2025, we celebrated the USS Midway’s 80th birthday with a vibrant community event filled with music, dance, history, and birthday cake! This annual multi-cultural celebration showcased live performances representing countries from Midway’s historic ports of call, ending with a tribute to her final home, San Diego.
Presented by: the Midway Community Engagement Committee
History of the USS Midway (CV-41)
The USS Midway (CV-41) was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. Named after the climactic Battle of Midway of June 1942, Midway was built in only 17 months but missed World War II by one week when commissioned on September 10, 1945.
Midway was the first in a three-ship class of large carriers that featured an armored flight deck and a powerful air group of 120 planes. In 1946, it became the first American carrier to operate in the midwinter sub-Arctic, developing new flight deck procedures. Midway became the only ship to launch a captured German V-2 rocket the following year.
On April 11, 1992, the Midway was decommissioned in San Diego. It remained in the inactive ship fleet in Bremerton, Washington, until 2003, when it was donated to the 501(c)3 nonprofit San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum organization. It opened as the USS Midway Museum in June 2004.
