ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794, which established a permanent navy and authorized the construction of six frigates, which (surprise!) ended up costing more than Congress originally appropriated.
The six ships were: United States (1797), Constellation (1797), Constitution (1797), Congress (1799), Chesapeake (1799), and President (1800). Of these, only the Constitution is still afloat.